Two red tides were sighted over the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (August 23).
The first red tide was spotted by a mariculturist on August 22 at Sai Kung Kau Sai Fish Culture Zone. Another red tide was spotted at Sai Kung Public Pier today by staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). Both red tides still persist. No associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.
A spokesman for the working group said, "The above red tides were formed by Levanderina fissa, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic."
The AFCD urged mariculturists at Kau Sai, Ma Nam Wat, Leung Shuen Wan, Tai Tau Chau, Tiu Cham Wan and Kai Lung 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.
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