Red tides sighted
​Nine red tides have been sighted over the past week, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (August 27).
Staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) spotted five red tides on August 21 at Chung Hom Kok Beach, St. Stephen's Beach, Turtle Cove Beach, South Bay Beach and Middle Bay Beach, Hong Kong Island, respectively. On August 22, staff of the LCSD spotted the sixth red tide at Pui O Beach, Lantau Island. On August 23, staff of the Marine Department spotted the seventh red tide at Repulse Bay, Hong Kong Island. In addition, staff of the LCSD spotted the eighth and ninth red tides at Hairpin Beach and Stanley Main Beach, Hong Kong Island, respectively on August 25.
Apart from the red tides persisting at Pui O Beach, Lantau Island, and Hairpin Beach, Hong Kong Island, the other seven red tides have dissipated. No fish deaths associated with the nine red tides have been reported as at today.
A spokesman for the working group said, "All nine red tides were formed by Noctiluca scintillans, which is commonly found in Hong Kong waters and is non-toxic."
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) urged mariculturists at Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Po Toi and Cheung Sha Wan 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.