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The Government today (August 22) continued to clean up the plastic pellets scattered on beaches, at sea and in fish culture zones after the typhoon.
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Chi Ma Wan, Shap Long San Tsuen, Wang Tong, Silvermine Bay, Mong Tung Wan, Tai Long Wan, Cheung Sha Wan, Shui Tseng Wan, Tso Wan and Sam Pak Wan, Nim Shue Wan, Cheung Sha Lan, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island; Tung Wan and Nam Wan, Peng Chau; Tung Wan Tsai, Cheung Chau; Tung O Wan, Lamma Island; Stanley Bay; Sunshine Island and Kau Yi Chau.
Quantity: 11.1 kilograms
Marine Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Peng Chau
Quantity: Small amounts (0.5kg)
Leisure and Cultural Services Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Silver Mine Bay Beach, Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Lo So Shing Beach.
Quantity: Small amounts (0.3kg)
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) tested 20 marine fish samples today, and revealed that no plastic pellets were detected. Since the August 6, CFS has tested 560 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 (AFCD) today received reports by mariculturists that trace amounts of plastic pellets were found at Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zone. The pellets have been cleaned up. The AFCD did not receive report of abnormal fish death at fish culture zones 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 plastic pellets on Tung O Wan and Shek Pai 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/Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:37
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