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The Government today (September 8) 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, Ngau Kwu Wan, Silvermine Bay, Cheung Sha Wan, 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; Siu Lam and Lung Kwu Tan, Tuen Mun.
Quantity: 2.5 kilograms
Leisure and Cultural Services Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Lo So Shing Beach
Quantity: Small amounts (0.2 kg)
The Marine Department completed the salvage and search operations pertaining to the sixth missing container yesterday. No pellets were found in the vicinity of the found container wreckage today.
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 770 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 did not receive reports of the presence of plastic pellets or abnormal fish death at fish culture zones from mariculturists today.
The Marine Police has reported the presence of trace amounts of plastic pellets at 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/Saturday, September 8, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:26
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