Two red tides have been sighted, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (March 22).
Staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department spotted a red tide at Stanley Main Beach on Hong Kong Island on March 19. A red flag was hoisted at the beach immediately. Another red tide was spotted by members of the public at Kau Sai Fish Culture Zone on the same day.
Both red tides have dissipated and no associated death of fish has been reported so far.
A spokesman for the working group said, "Two red tides were 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 Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Po Toi, Ma Nam Wat, Kau Sai, Kai Lung Wan, Tai Tau Chau and Leung Shuen 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 monitoring red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public.
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