A red tide was sighted during the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (February 23).
On February 19, staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department spotted a red tide at Silverstrand Beach, Sai Kung. The red tide has dissipated and no associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.
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, Kau Sai, Kai Lung Wan, Tai Tau Chau, Leung Shuen Wan, Tiu Cham Wan and Po Toi O 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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