Press Releases

Progress of cleaning up plastic pellets scattered on beaches, at sea and in fish culture zones (with photos)

The Government today (August 23) continued to clean up the plastic pellets scattered on beaches, at sea and in fish culture zones after the typhoon.

Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Chi Ma Wan, Shap Long San Tsuen, Wang Tong, Silvermine Bay, Cheung Sha Wan, Tso Wan and Sam Pak Wan, Nim Shue Wan, Cheung Sha Lan, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island; Tung Wan and Nam Wan, Peng Chau; Tung Wan Tsai, Cheung Chau; Tung O Wan and Shek Pai Wan, Lamma Island; Stanley Bay; Hei Ling Chau.
Quantity: 12.9 kilograms

Marine Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Hei Ling Chau; Chi Ma Wan, Lantau Island; and Nam Tam Wan, Cheung Chau.
Quantity: Small amounts (0.5kg)

Leisure and Cultural Services Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Lo So Shing Beach.
Quantity: Small amounts (0.2kg)

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) tested 20 marine fish samples today, and revealed that no plastic pellets were detected. Since August 6, the CFS has tested 580 marine fish samples in the wholesale and retail markets of Hong Kong and no plastic pellets were detected. Tests conducted so far suggest that the pellet incident did not cause an adverse impact on food safety. Although the food safety risk remains low, members of the public should check and clean fish thoroughly and remove all internal organs before cooking. The CFS will continue to closely monitor marine fish sold on the market to ensure food safety.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department did not receive reports of the presence of plastic pellets or abnormal fish death at fish culture zones from mariculturists today.

The Marine Police has reported presence of plastic pellets on Shek Pai 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.

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/Thursday, August 23, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:14

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