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The Government today (August 11) 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: Silver Mine Bay, Chi Ma Wan, Shap Long, Kau Shat Wan, 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; Tung O Wan, Shek Pai Wan and Sham Wan, Lamma Island; Po Toi Island and Tso Wan, Lantau Island.
Quantity: 531 kg
Marine Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: near Tung O Wan, Lamma Island
Quantity: 130 kg
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) tested 40 marine fish samples today, and revealed that no plastic pellets were detected. Since August 6, the CFS has tested 210 marine fish samples in the wholesale and retail markets of Hong Kong, and no plastic pellets were detected. Tests conducted in this week 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. The 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 from 6 mariculturists that trace amounts of plastic pellets were found at Ma Wan, Sok Kwu Wan and Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zones. The pellets have been cleaned up. The AFCD did not receive report of abnormal fish death at fish culture zones today.
The Marine Police continue to assist in locating the scattered plastic pellets. The Marine Police has reported presence of plastic pellets on Tung O Wan and Shum Wan on 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.
"I wish to convey my heartfelt thanks to the volunteers for their efforts in cleaning up plastic pellets scattered on beaches and the coastline of Hong Kong. The personal examples that they, as public spirited citizens, have set in protecting our natural environment will help make Hong Kong a better place to be," said the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man.
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 11, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:56
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