Ten red tides have been sighted over the past week, the Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today (April 26).

     On April 21, staff of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) spotted the first red tide at Silverstrand Beach, Sai Kung. On April 24, LCSD staff spotted five red tides at South Bay Beach, Turtle Cove Beach, Shek O Beach, Repulse Bay Beach and Deep Water Bay Beach on Hong Kong Island respectively. On the same day, staff of the Marine Department spotted two red tides at Stanley Bay and Repulse Bay respectively. Members of the public also spotted two red tides at eastern waters of Hong Kong (near Wang Chau and Basalt Island) and Clear Water Bay to Joss House Bay respectively.

     The red tides at South Bay Beach, Repulse Bay Beach, Stanley Bay, Repulse Bay and Clear Water Bay to Joss House Bay still persist, while the other five red tides have dissipated. No associated fish deaths have been reported as of today.

     A spokesman for the working group said, "The above 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 Ma Nam Wat, Kau Sai, Kai Lung Wan, Tai Tau Chau, Leung Shuen Wan, Tiu Cham Wan, Po Toi O, Lo Tik Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Po Toi and Tung Lung Chau 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.

     â€‹The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) and the Law Society of Hong Kong jointly held a networking luncheon in Tokyo, Japan, today (April 26) to promote Hong Kong's advantages as a global business partner and the strategic role of Hong Kong's legal system and services in international business.
      
     Speaking at the luncheon, the Principal Hong Kong Economic and Trade Representative (Tokyo), Miss Winsome Au, pointed out that Hong Kong's common law-based legal system is internationally recognised for its transparency, robustness and reliability, which are critical in maintaining a stable and prosperous environment for business. 
      
     "Coupled with the efforts of the Government in keeping the statutory law clear and up-to-date, our legal system can cater for and adapt to any challenges in the ever-changing business landscape, thereby maintaining Hong Kong as a stable and favourable destination for international enterprises," she said.
      
     She also noted that Hong Kong as a legal hub is supported by a wide range of expertise and experience in its legal services, as well as the presence of prominent legal and dispute resolution-related organisations and international bodies.
      
     "Our capability in handling complex international legal matters further consolidates our role as a gateway for businesses looking to expand into Mainland China and other emerging markets," she said.
      
     With the theme "Developing Global Business in Hong Kong from the Legal Perspective", the luncheon was attended by a good mix of business leaders and legal practitioners in Japan, as well as representatives of the Law Society of Hong Kong who are visiting Tokyo to attend the 32nd Inter-Pacific Bar Association Annual Meeting and Conference.

        

     The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) today (April 26) gazetted a notice to invite tenders for the contract for Kwu Tung North New Development Area, Remaining Phase: Improvement Works of Tai Tau Leng Roundabout and Po Shek Wu Road and Associated Works (Contract No. ND/2024/04). The closing time for the tender is noon on July 5.

     The works mainly include:

• widening of Fanling Highway (Tsung Pak Long to Tai Tau Leng Roundabout Portion);
• modification of Tsung Pak Long local road;
• construction of a footbridge across Fanling Highway (Tsung Pak Long Portion);
• construction of Po Shek Wu Road Flyover connected to Fanling Highway westbound;
• road improvements at Tai Tau Leng Roundabout and Po Shek Wu Road;
• extension of existing subways Nos. NS201 and NS201A;
• construction of a footbridge and cycle track at Po Shek Wu Road across MTR East Rail Line;
• construction of associated works including water mains, drainage and sewerage works, roadworks, cycle tracks, footpaths, box culverts, junction improvement works, slope works, retaining walls, street furniture, landscaping works, electrical and mechanical works and other ancillary works; and
• implementation of environmental mitigation measures (including noise enclosures, noise barriers and low-noise road surfacing) and environmental monitoring works for the works mentioned above.

     The works are scheduled to commence in October 2024 and will take about 67 months to complete.

     The CEDD has commissioned AECOM Asia Company Limited to design and supervise the works. Interested contractors can obtain the forms of tender and further particulars from the company at 12/F, Tower 2, Grand Central Plaza, 138 Sha Tin Rural Committee Road, Sha Tin.

     Details of the tender notice are available at the CEDD's website (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/tender-notices/contracts/tender-notices/index.html). For enquiries, please call AECOM Asia Company Limited at 3922 9000 during office hours. 

     Dragon Luck Asia Limited was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for violation of the requirements under the Employment Ordinance (EO). The company pleaded guilty at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (April 26) and was fined $69,300. 

     The company wilfully and without reasonable excuse contravened the requirement of the EO, failing to pay six employees' wages within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods, totalling about $546,000.

     "The ruling helps disseminate a strong message to all employers that they have to pay wages to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO," a spokesman for LD said.

     "The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," the spokesman added.

     The Government gazetted today (April 26) the proposed road works for the construction of the Airport Tung Chung Link to connect Tung Chung, SkyCity and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port.
 
     Details of the proposal are set out in the Annex. The plans and scheme of the works are available for public inspection at the following government offices during office hours:
 
Central and Western Home Affairs Enquiry Centre,
G/F, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong
 
Islands Home Affairs Enquiry Centre (Tung Chung),
1/F, Tung Chung Post Office Building,
6 Mei Tung Street, Tung Chung, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
 
Islands Home Affairs Enquiry Centre (Mui Wo),
G/F, Mui Wo Government Offices,
2 Ngan Kwong Wan Road, Mui Wo, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
 
Islands Home Affairs Enquiry Centre (Cheung Chau),
G/F, 22 San Hing Street,
Cheung Chau, Hong Kong
 
Islands District Office Main Office,
20/F, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong
 
District Lands Office, Islands,
19/F, Harbour Building,
38 Pier Road, Central, Hong Kong

     The gazette notice, scheme, plans, plan for creation of rights of temporary occupation of land and location plan are available at www.tlb.gov.hk/eng/publications/transport/gazette/gazette.html.
 
     Any person who wishes to object to the works or the use, or both, is required to address to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics an objection in writing, which can be submitted via the following means:
 

• By post or by hand to the Transport and Logistics Bureau's Drop-in Box No. 6 located at the entrance on 2/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong. The box is available for use between 8am and 7pm from Monday to Friday (except public holidays);
• By fax to 2868 4643; or
• By email to gazettetlb@tlb.gov.hk.

 
     A notice of objection should describe the objector's interest and the manner in which he or she alleges that he or she will be affected by the works or the use. Objectors are requested to provide contact details to facilitate communication. A notice of objection should be delivered to the Secretary for Transport and Logistics not later than June 25, 2024.