****************
A red tide has been sighted in Hong Kong waters over the past few days, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (March 14).
A member of the public observed a red tide at Sha Tin Hoi on March 11. It dissipated today and 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, March 14, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:01
NNNN