Two red tides have been sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (April 9).
The first red tide was spotted by staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on April 5 at Silver Mine Bay Beach, Lantau Island. The second red tide was spotted by staff of the Environmental Protection Department at Discovery Bay today.
Both red tides persist. No associated fish deaths have been reported as at today.
A spokesman for the working group said, "Both red tides were formed by Takayama tuberculata, which is not common in Hong Kong waters and non-toxic."
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at the fish culture zones of Cheung Sha Wan and Ma Wan 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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