HODGKISS I.J., Lu, S.H., Lam, H.Y.I. and Chan, L.L. , Department of Ecology & Biodiversity, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong

Abstract

HABs have been well studied in Hong Kong since the early 1970s and, since the mid 1970s, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the SAR Government has maintained a red tide data base. Until the 1980s red tides were present in low numbers, but they increased through the 1980s to reach a peak in 1988. After that, numbers decreased until the serious blooms of 1998.

During the late 1990s the numbers of toxic species increased and both new species (for example: Karenia digitata and K. longicanalis) and new records (for example: Chattonella ovata, C. globosa, C. antiqua, Gambierdiscus toxicus and Karenia brevis) of harmful taxa have been found during our studies of HAB species diversity and the establishment of a culture collection at the University of Hong Kong.

Many reasons have been put forward for increased algal blooms, but our research shows eutrophication of coastal waters (and particularly nitrogen to phosphorus ratios) have played a significant role in Hong Kong waters in terms of dinoflagellate induced red tides and HABs.

As a result of a recent red tide consultancy, new management policies were introduced, particularly in relation to monitoring and mitigation measures. As a result, our research has been focused in 3 areas: the biodiversity of HAB species; using telemetry in the prediction of red tides; and using proteomics to develop rapid identification methods for HAB species.

This paper presents a report on the present status of our studies in these 3 areas.