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The Government today (August 31) 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 (as at 4pm today)
Location: Chi Ma Wan, Shap Long San Tsuen, Wang Tong, Ngau Kwu Wan, Silvermine Bay, Cheung Sha Wan, Tso 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, Tuen Mun.
Quantity: 16.4 kilograms
Marine Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Tung O Wan, Lamma Island.
Quantity: 1.5kg
Leisure and Cultural Services Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Lo So Shing Beach.
Quantity: Small amounts (0.2kg)
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 690 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) 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 collected four live fish samples from Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zones, and 0.93 grams, 0.73g and 0.4g of plastic pellets were found in the stomachs of an amberjack (weighing 310g), a star snapper (weighing 590g) and a cobia (weighing 450g) respectively. 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 at fish culture zones from mariculturists today.
The Marine Police has reported the presence of plastic pellets at Shek Pai Wan and 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.
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, August 31, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:18
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