Red tide sighted

     A red tide was sighted during the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (March 14).

     On March 13, staff of the Environmental Protection Department spotted a red tide at Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Lamma Island. The red tide has dissipated. 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."

     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.