The row continued yesterday over whether the devastation of the red tide could have been better predicted or prevented.
Calling the algae spread the 'worst natural disaster' in living memory, acting assistant director for Agriculture and Fisheries Joseph Sham Chun-hung said it was unavoidable.
But fishermen and campaigners said satellites could have been used to watch the growth of the red tide from when it began in March and to issue warnings.
'Firstly, what they should have done in March is to detect the source,' ousted Democrat legislator Dr John Tse Wing-ling said. 'The tide was detected as coming from the east so at that stage Fisheries and Environmental Protection Department officers should have made close connections with the mainland Government to monitor the situation and take measures.
'[But they took] a passive approach. You cannot prevent 100 per cent loss but at least the loss would not be as disastrous as now.' The criticisms were rejected by Mr Sham who said satellites could not monitor movements and trends such as the red tide's flow.
'This is a natural disaster. The worst in Hong Kong as far as I can remember. I doubt if satellites could have monitored it,' he said.