A red tide was sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (March 19).
The red tide was spotted by a mariculturist on March 15 at O Pui Tong, including O Pui Tong fish culture zone. The red tide still persists and no associated deaths of fish have been reported.
A spokesman for the working group said, "The red tide was formed by Gonyaulax polygramma, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and is non-toxic."
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at the fish culture zones of Ap Chau, Kat O, O Pui Tong, Sai Lau Kong and Sha Tau Kok 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 monitoring red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.
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