Beaches swamped with suspected red tides as sunseekers told to stay away

Several parts of Hong Kong were hit by suspected red tides over the weekend, with swathes of the Cheung Chau shoreline caked with a putrid, foamy discharge that put off many beach-goers.

Pictures taken by local islanders and tourists on Saturday and Sunday showed parts of the island’s Tung Wan Beach covered in the light brown froth.

READ MORE: ‘Unprecedented disaster’ for Hong Kong fish farmers – deadly red tide kills 36 tonnes of stock

Red tides, or algal blooms, are areas of seawater discoloured – brown, pink or red – by large concentrations of micro-organisms that may deplete levels of dissolved oxygen. Sightings usually peak in the spring.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said the Environmental Protection Department was taking water samples.

On Saturday, beach-goers were advised not to swim at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung and Silver Mine Bay Beach on Lantau Island.

The government’s inter-departmental red tide working group reported six red tides in Hong Kong waters last week in Silverstrand Beach and Hoi Ha Wan in Sai Kung, Junk Bay, Sham Wan, Lo Tik Wan, the Sok Kwu Wan and Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zones, and the east and west Lamma channels.