A red tide has been sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (May 18).
The red tide was spotted by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on May 12 at Silverstrand Beach, Sai Kung. A red flag was hoisted immediately.
The red tide has dissipated. No associated death of fish has been reported.
A spokesman for the working group said, "The red tide was formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic."
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Ma Nam Wat 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 monitoring red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.
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