27th December 2024 – (Hong Kong) The Inter-departmental Red Tide Working Group reported today, 27th December, that nine red tides have been observed in Hong Kong waters over the past week. The first three were spotted on 21st December by staff from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) at Lido Beach, Casam Beach, and Ting Kau Beach in Tsuen Wan. Subsequently, on 23th December, public and Marine Department staff identified two additional red tides in Deep Bay and Tai Lam Chung. The LCSD reported two more occurrences on 26th December at Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach and Kwun Yam Beach in Cheung Chau. Most recently, on 27th December, the Environmental Protection Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) detected two red tides in Victoria Harbour and Discovery Bay.
Currently, red tides persist in Deep Bay, Tai Lam Chung, Kwun Yam Beach, Victoria Harbour, and Discovery Bay, while the other four have dissipated. Notably, no fish deaths linked to these red tides have been reported as of today.
A spokesperson for the working group indicated that the red tides at Kwun Yam Beach and Discovery Bay were caused by Noctiluca scintillans, a non-toxic species commonly found in local waters. The other seven red tides were attributed to Phaeocystis globosa, which can produce foam that may adversely affect fish, according to overseas literature.
The AFCD has urged mariculturists in the Ma Wan and Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zones to closely monitor the situation and enhance aeration when necessary.
Red tides are a natural occurrence, and the AFCD’s proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue to track red tide events to mitigate their impact on both the mariculture industry and public health.
