Press Releases
Progress of cleaning up plastic pellets scattered on beaches, at sea and in fish culture zones
The Government today (August 25) continued to clean up the plastic pellets
scattered on beaches, in fish culture zones and at sea after the typhoon.
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) (as at 4pm today)
Location: Chi Ma Wan, Shap Long San Tsuen, Wang Tong, Ngau Kwu Wan,
Silvermine Bay, Cheung Sha Wan, Tso Wan and Sam Pak Wan, Nim Shue Wan,
Cheung Sha Lan, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island; Tung Wan, Peng Chau; Tung Wan,
Tung Wan Tsai, Cheung Chau; Stanley Bay.
Quantity: 103.3kg
Due to inclement weather conditions, the Food and Environmental Hygiene
Department and the Marine Department could not continue with the cleaning
operations in remote areas today.
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) tested 20 marine fish samples today, and
revealed that no plastic pellets were detected. Since August 6, CFS has
tested 620 marine fish samples in the wholesale and retail markets of Hong
Kong and no plastic pellets were detected. Tests conducted so far suggested
that the pellet incident did not cause 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. CFS will continue to closely monitor marine fish sold on the market
to ensure food safety.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today received
reports by mariculturists that trace amounts of plastic pellets were found
at Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zone. The pellets have been cleaned up. The
AFCD did not receive report of abnormal fish death at fish culture zones
today.
The Marine Police has reported presence of plastic pellets on Tung O Wan and
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/Saturday, August 25, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:18
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