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The Government today (August 19) 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, Kau Shat Wan, Shui Tseng Wan, Silver Mine Bay, Tso Wan, Sam Pak Wan and Discovery Bay, Lantau Island; Tung Wan and Nam Wan, Peng Chau; Tung Wan Tsai, Cheung Chau; Tung O Wan, Shek Pai Wan, Sham Wan, Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island; Stanley Bay and Sunshine Island.
Quantity: 608.5 kg
Marine Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Tung O Wan, Lamma Island and Chi Ma Wan, Lantau Island
Quantity: 562.1 kg
Leisure and Cultural Services Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Hung Shing Yeh Beach, Lo So Shing Beach and Silver Mine Bay Beach.
Quantity: Small amounts (1.22 kg)
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) tested 30 marine fish samples today, and revealed that no plastic pellets were detected. Since August 6, the CFS has tested 500 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. The CFS will continue to closely monitor marine fish sold on the market to ensure food safety.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department today received reports by mariculturists that 28 kilograms of plastic pellets were found at Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zone. The pellets have been cleaned up. No abnormal activity or abnormal death of fish has been reported.
The Marine Police has reported presence of plastic pellets on Tung Wan and Kwun Yam Wan on Cheung Chau; and Tung O Wan and Shek Pai 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.
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/Sunday, August 19, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:49
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