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Two red tides had been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (December 21).
A member of the public observed a red tide at Port Shelter on December 17, stretching from Sheung Sze Wan to Lung Ha Wan. It dissipated on December 19.
The other occurrence at Silverstrand Beach was reported by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on Wednesday (December 19). A red flag was hoisted at the beach until yesterday (December 20) when the red tide dissipated.
No fish kill had been reported in the two occurrences.
"Both red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is common in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has urged mariculturists at Ma Nam Wat, Kau Sai Chau and Kai Lung Wan Fish Culture Zones to monitor the situation closely.
Red tide is a natural phenomenon. AFCD's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue monitoring red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.
Ends/Friday, December 21, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:41
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