Red tide sighted

     A red tide was sighted over the past few days, an interdepartmental red tide working group reported today (January 28).
 
     The red tide was spotted by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on January 24 at Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Sai Kung. 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 Mesodinium rubrum, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and is non-toxic."
 
     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Ma Nam Wat, Tung Lung Chau 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.