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Progress of cleaning up plastic pellets scattered on beaches, at sea and in fish culture zones (with photos)
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     The Government today (August 9) 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: Silvermine Bay, Chi Ma Wan, Shap Long, Wang Tong and Yi Long Wan, Lantau Island; Tung Wan, Peng Chau; Sam Pak Wan, Nim Shue Wan and Cheung Sha Lan, Discovery Bay; Tung Wan Tsai, Cheung Chau; Yung Shue Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, Tung O Wan, Shek Pai Wan and Sham Wan, Lamma Island; Nam Kok Tsui, Pak Lau Kok, Tai Pai Wan, San Pai, Po Toi Islands; Beaufort Island; Tso Wan, Lantau; Tai Long Wan, Shek Pik and Pak Sha Wan, Stanley
Quantity: 385.1 kilograms

Leisure and Cultural Services Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Lo So Shing Beach
Quantity: Small amounts (0.1kg)      

Marine Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: near Beaufort Island and Tung O Wan, Lamma Island   
Quantity: 455kg

     (Note: For its clean-up operations conducted in conjunction with the FEHD on August 7 and 8, the Marine Department covered areas near Chi Ma Wan, Hei Ling Chau, Po Toi Island, and Tung O Wan and Shum Wan in Lamma Island.)

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) collected 11 live fish samples from Po Toi and Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zones. 0.27 grams of plastic pellets were found in the stomach of a red drum (weighing 1.1kg). Members of the public should wash fish thoroughly and remove the internal organs before cooking. The food safety risk is believed to be low. The AFCD did not receive reports of abnormal fish death or presence of plastic pellets at fish culture zones from mariculturists today. The AFCD deployed a fishing vessel to monitor the waters around the Cheung Sha Wan and Ma Wan fish culture zones today and yesterday. Trace amounts of plastic pellets were collected.

     The Government Flying Service (GFS) and the Marine Police continue to assist in locating the scattered plastic pellets. The GFS conducted a search for plastic pellets in the Tai Po and Sai Kung area this morning, and in Lantau Island from Penny's Bay to Fan Lau and Soko Island this afternoon. Plastic pellets were seen to accumulate at the eastern tip of Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, along the coasts of Fat Tong Mun, Clearwater Bay, Shelter Island, Basalt Island, Bluff Island and Fan Lau. The Marine Police has reported the presence of plastic pellets on 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.

     The Centre for Food Safety tested 40 marine fish samples today, and revealed that no plastic pellets were 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/Thursday, August 9, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:44

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