Press Releases
Progress of cleaning up plastic pellets scattered on beaches, at sea and in fish culture zones
The Government today (September 3) 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 (as at 4pm today)
Location: Chi Ma Wan, Shap Long San Tsuen, Wang Tong, Ngau Kwu Wan,
Silvermine Bay, Cheung Sha Wan and Sam Pak Wan, Nim Shue Wan and Cheung Sha
Lan, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island; Tung Wan, Peng Chau; Tung Wan, Cheung
Chau; Tung O Wan, Shek Pai Wan and Tai Wan To, Lamma Island; Stanley Bay;
and Siu Lam, Tuen Mun.
Quantity: 10.7 kilograms
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 tested 10 marine fish samples today, and revealed
that no plastic pellets were detected. Since August 6, the CFS has tested
720 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 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 (AFCD) did not
receive reports of the presence of plastic pellets or abnormal fish death at
fish culture zones from mariculturists today. The AFCD collected four live
fish samples from Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zone today and no plastic
pellets were detected.
The Marine Police has reported the presence of trace amounts of plastic
pellets at Shek Pai Wan and 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.
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/Monday, September 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:59
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