Press Releases

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

The Government today (September 7) continued to clean up the plastic pellets scattered on beaches, at sea and in fish culture zones after the typhoon.

Earlier today, the Marine Department found, in waters off the Hei Ling Chau Typhoon Shelter, the wreckage of the sixth container which contained plastic pellets and fell into the sea during Typhoon Vicente. Salvage operations followed immediately. The department salvaged a large part of the container wreckage. More than 65 bags of plastic pellets (or 1,625 kilograms in total) were found.

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 and Lung Kwu Tan, Tuen Mun.
Quantity: 3kg

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) tested 10 marine fish samples today, and revealed that no plastic pellets were detected. Since August 6, the CFS has tested 760 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 three live fish samples from Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zone today and no plastic pellets were detected.

The Marine Police continued to assist in locating the scattered plastic pellets but the presence of pellets was not detected.

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, September 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:45

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