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A red tide has been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (February 29).
The red tide at Shing Mun River was reported by staff of the Environmental Protection Department on February 22. It dissipated on February 25. No fish kill has been reported.
"The red tide was formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is common in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic," a spokesman for the working group said.
Red tide is a natural phenomenon. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue monitoring red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.
Ends/Friday, February 29, 2008
Issued at HKT 14:46
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