**************************
Following is a question by the Hon Tang Ka-piu and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, in the Legislative Council today (January 20):
Question:
It has been reported that massive quantity of dead fish has been recently found on the surface of a number of inshore waters and watercourses (including the waters off the mariculture rafts in Sam Mun Tsai in Tai Po, Kam Tin River in Yuen Long, and Shing Mun River in Sha Tin). Last month, the authorities collected 15 tonnes of refuse which contained a large quantity of dead fish in Shing Mun River. The stench of such refuse had caused nuisance to the residents and picnickers in the vicinity of Shing Mun River. Some fish farmers also worried that the flow of polluted river water into Tolo Harbour would have long-term impact on the ecological environment of the fish culture zones there. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) regarding incidents in which massive quantity of dead fish was found in the following watercourses in each of the past five years, of the respective (i) numbers of such incidents and (ii) quantities of dead fish found (set out in the table below):
Watercourse 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
(i) (i) (i) (i) (i)
(ii) (ii) (ii) (ii) (ii)
Shing Mun River
Lam Tsuen River
Tung Chung River
Shan Pui River
Kam Tin River
Tuen Mun River
(2) whether it has investigated the causes of the recent incident of massive quantity of dead fish being found in Shing Mun River, and whether the ecological environment of the watercourse has been adversely affected as a result; if the watercourse has been affected, whether it has taken remedial measures; if it has, of the details and the latest situation;
(3) of the details of the cleaning work undertaken at Shing Mun River at present and the staff establishment involved; whether it has plans to strengthen such work;
(4) whether inter-departmental meetings are held in respect of the environmental hygiene of various watercourses on a regular basis and in the light of incidents of massive quantity of dead fish found in those watercourses, for the purpose of discussing and co-ordinating the relevant cleaning work of the watercourses; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(5) given that in reply to my written question raised in November last year, the authorities indicated that a consultancy study would be conducted on the works to revitalise nullahs and watercourses and they would explore specific proposals for revitalising water bodies, of the progress of the revitalisation works at present with a list of the names of nullahs and watercourses involved as well as the implementation timetable for the revitalisation works?
Reply:
President,
The Government is committed to maintaining a hygienic environment in Hong Kong, including keeping rivers clean, as well as protecting and preserving the ecological environment. Relevant government departments (including the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and Drainage Services Department (DSD)) will look into any pollution incidents in watercourses and take appropriate measures to minimise the impact on the community (including fish culture zones nearby). The departments concerned will also explore feasible options for revitalising the water bodies of nullahs and watercourses for greening and beautification purposes.
My reply to the various parts of the question is as follows:
(1) The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) is responsible for removing floating refuse (including floating dead fish) found in nullahs, rivers, watercourses and natural river beds. Under the established arrangement, the role of FEHD is mainly to assist the management departments concerned, such as DSD, in removing refuse floating on nullahs, rivers and watercourses to prevent flooding. Neither FEHD nor DSD has maintained records relating to the removal of dead fish in rivers in the past five years. Nevertheless, according to the information collected by DSD pertaining to reports of dead fish surfacing in various rivers in November and December last year, the following number of dead fish was found in Shing Mun River, Lam Tsuen River and Kam Tin River respectively: about 23 000 (approximately 2.8 tonnes), 1 000 (approximately 0.2 tonnes) and 4 000 (approximately 2.1 tonnes).
(2) When notified of the presence of dead fish in Shing Mun River, EPD had, in accordance with the established practice for handling complaints of suspected pollution, deployed staff to conduct site inspections and collect river water samples. The analytical reports did not show any abnormality in water quality in terms of dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, temperature, and pH levels. Nor was any pollution source that might be related to the dead fish incident found. After being notified by EPD of the dead fish incident in Shing Mun River, AFCD also deployed staff to take several water samples from Shing Mun River for testing. Test results showed no sign of red tide or toxic algae along the river course at the time the samples were collected. AFCD also carried out fish pathogen analysis of the five fish samples collected from the river by EPD in December last year. No parasitic infection was found in the samples. Based on the above test results, it is believed that water quality is not related to the death of the fish. There is also no evidence to show that red tide, toxic algae or parasitic infection is the cause.
(3) At present, FEHD deploys, through a cleansing contractor, two workers to remove, on a regular basis, the refuse floating on Shing Mun River. The service is provided once daily from May to September each year and once every two days from October to April in the following year. On average, a total of about 260 cleaning operations are carried out at Shing Mun River each year. In response to referrals from the relevant departments and public complaints or enquiries, FEHD will strengthen the cleaning service where necessary. For example, upon receiving complaints and enquiries about refuse and dead fish floating on Shing Mun River last December, FEHD had arranged enhanced service with the contractor. A total of 57 cleaning operations were carried out.
(4) In response to the incidents of dead fish being found in various rivers in November and December last year, the relevant departments (including DSD, FEHD, EPD and AFCD) have been maintaining close collaboration and carrying out suitable follow-up work. Regarding the cleaning work of the rivers, FEHD has been assisting DSD in removing dead fish floating on watercourses to avoid affecting the environment and water quality as well as to prevent flooding.
(5) DSD commenced a consultancy study in December last year on revitalising the water bodies in major river channels in Hong Kong. Based on an assessment of the actual circumstances of a river channel, such as geographical location, aesthetics, ecological value, degree of public enjoyment and technical feasibility, the study will explore practicable revitalisation proposals. The results of the study will serve as a reference for carrying out large-scale drainage improvement works and for planning drainage networks in new development areas. The consultancy study is scheduled for completion by the end of 2017. As the study is still at the initial stage, DSD is, at the moment, not in a position to provide such information as the timetable for the revitalisation works of the rivers concerned.
Ends/Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:48
NNNN
