Five red tides were sighted over the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (July 19).

     On July 15, staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) spotted five red tides at Victoria Harbour (near Sai Ying Pun), Victoria Harbour (near North Point), the waters off Cheung Sha Wan Promenade, Tsing Lung Tau and Lei Yue Mun respectively. The red tides at Victoria Harbour (near Sai Ying Pun), the waters off Cheung Sha Wan Promenade and Tsing Lung Tau still persist, while the other two red tides have dissipated. No associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.

     A spokesman for the working group said, "The above red tides were formed by Pseudo-nitzschia pungens, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic."

     The AFCD urged mariculturists at Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Ma Wan and Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.

     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD's proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to monitor red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.

Ends/Friday, July 19, 2024
Issued at HKT 14:40

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