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Months after the government killed 1.4 million chickens to contain an outbreak of a mysterious bird flu, Hong Kong is facing another threat to a major food source: red tides that have left a sea of dead and rotting fish.
Red tides, caused by algae that soak up oxygen and release fish-killing toxins, appeared in mid-March. Nine days ago, they reached outlying fish farms.
Eighty percent of the territory’s 1,500 farms have been affected; half of Hong Kong’s farm fish have died. The government estimates losses at $10.3 million, but farmers suggest tripling that figure.
Five popular Hong Kong beaches also were forced to close Monday.
