Press Releases
Progress of cleaning up plastic pellets scattered on beaches, at sea and in fish culture zones (with photos)
The Government today (August 8) continued to clean up the plastic pellets
scattered on beaches, at sea and in fish culture zones after the typhoon.
Department
Today (as at 4pm)
Location
Quantity
Food and
Sham Wan, Lamma
1493.1 kg
Environmental
Island; Tung Wan,
Hygiene Department
Peng Chau; Tung O
(FEHD)
Wan, Lamma Island;
Shek Pai Wan, Lamma
Island; Yung Shue Wan
and Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma
Island; Silvermine Bay
and Shap Long San
Tsuen, Chi Ma Wan,
Sam Pak Wan, Nim Shue
Wan, Cheung Sha Lan,
Tung Wan Tsai, Cheung
Chau; Tso Wan, Lantau Island;
Shek Pik Tai Long Wan,
Pak Sha Wan, Stanley;
Po Toi Island
Marine Department
Sea surface
1140 kg
Leisure and
St Stephen's Beach
Small
Cultural Services
Hung Shing Yeh Beach amounts
Department
Lo So Shing Beach
(0.4 kg)
Hoi Mei Wan Beach
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) went to inspect Lo Chau
today. However, it could not go ashore because of the weather conditions and
changed to conduct clean-up operations on Po Toi Island. If circumstances
permit, the FEHD would clean up the accumulated plastic pellets at Lo Chau
as soon as possible.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today received
reports by four mariculturists that trace amounts of plastic pellets were
found at Ma Wan and Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zones. The plastic pellets
have been cleaned up. No abnormal death of fish has been reported so far.
The AFCD collected eleven live fish samples from Cheung Sha Wan and Ma Wan
fish culture zones. 0.3g and 0.5g of the plastic pellets were found in the
stomachs of a red drum (weighing 1.2kg) and a cobia (weighing 2.2kg)
respectively. Members of the public should wash fish thoroughly and remove
the internal organs before cooking. The food safety risk is believed to be
low.
The Government Flying Service (GFS) and Marine Police continue to assist in
locating the scattered plastic pellets. The GFS and Marine Department are
conducting search for plastic pellets in Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay area
this morning. The Marine Police has reported presence of plastic pellets on
Tung O Wan, Lamma Island. The relevant departments have deployed manpower
for the necessary clean-up action, and will continue to closely monitor the
distribution of plastic pellets.
The Centre for Food Safety tested 40 marine fish samples today, and revealed
that no plastic pellets were detected.
A Government spokesman said: "We wish to take this opportunity to thank all
volunteers (including members of the public and NGOs) for their assistance,
participating in clean-up operations, as well as SINOPEC International (Hong
Kong) Company Limited for helping out, including making available vacuum
cleaners for clean-up operations. Members of the public and volunteer
organisations may deposit the collected plastic pellets at nearby temporary
collection points. The FEHD will arrange for collection later with a view to
facilitating the collection of plastic pellets.
"We hope that the concerted efforts by all can help protect the natural
environment of Hong Kong from the effects of the scattered plastic pellets."
Separately, the AFCD advises the public that Sham Wan beach on Lamma Island
is designated as a restricted area from June to October every year, and
members of the public are not allowed to enter during the period to minimise
disturbance to sea turtles, their nests and eggs. For details, please visit
www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/con_fau/con_fau_sea/con_fau_sea_con/con_fau_sea_con_the.html
.
A Government spokesman said that the Government will continue its
inter-departmental monitoring operations. Clean-up action will be carried
out as soon as plastic pellets are detected so as to minimise the impact of
the incident on the environment, food safety and human health.
Ends/Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Issued at HKT 22:58
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