Hong Kong – Red tide sighted

     A red tide was sighted during the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (July 28).

     The red tide was spotted by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on July 24 at Silver Mine Bay Beach, Lantau Island. The red tide persists and no associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.

     A spokesman for the working group said, “The red tide was formed by Scrippsiella trochoidea, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic.”

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zone 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.