Press Releases
Progress of cleaning up plastic pellets scattered on beaches, at sea and in fish culture zones
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) tested 30 marine fish samples today (August
17) and revealed that no plastic pellets were detected. Since August 6, the
CFS has tested 440 marine fish samples in the wholesale and retail markets
of Hong Kong and no plastic pellets were detected. Tests conducted so far
have suggested that the pellet incident has not caused an adverse impact on
food safety.
Although the food safety risk is low, members of the public should check and
clean fish thoroughly and remove all internal organs before cooking.
Due to inclement weather conditions, operations to clean up plastic pellets
scattered on beaches at locations such as Lantau Island, Lamma Island,
Cheung Chau and Peng Chau by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
and the Marine Department could not continue today. Unless adverse weather
conditions persist, cleaning operations will resume tomorrow.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department collected 6 kilograms of
plastic pellets at Silver Mine Bay Beach during today's clean-up operation.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department today received
reports by mariculturists that a bag of plastic pellets weighing 25kg was
found at Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zone. The pellets have been collected.
No abnormal activity or abnormal death of fish has been reported.
The Marine Police continue to assist in locating the scattered plastic
pellets. They reported the presence of plastic pellets at Tung O Wan, Lamma
Island, and collected 12 bags of plastic pellets weighing 25kg each near Mui
Wo Ferry Pier. The relevant departments have cleaned up the scattered
pellets in the vicinity, and will continue to monitor the accumulation of
pellets in various locations.
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/Friday, August 17, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:18
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