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The following is issued on behalf of the two Provisional Municipal Councils:

A spokesman for the two Municipal Councils today (Wednesday) reminded swimmers of the importance of protecting themselves against shark attacks.

The spokesman said past experience showed that sharks might be attracted to water where temperature is above 24 degrees Celsius, thus posing potential danger to swimmers.

"Water temperature in Hong Kong during swimming season is usually above 24 degrees Celsius, swimmers are therefore advised to go to gazetted bathing beaches where shark prevention nets have been installed and lifeguard services are provided."

Lifeguards at the two Council's beaches are now on full alert and keeping a vigilant watch of the beach waters from out-look posts.

A total of 32 gazetted bathing beaches of Provisional Regional Council (Pro RC) and Provisional Urban Council (PUC) have been installed with shark prevention nets.

These nets are being regularly checked by the maintenance contractors between two and four times a week.

Although shark prevention nets are installed, swimmers should also heed the following advice:

* Do not swim at dawn, dusk or night;

* Do not swim alone;

* Do not swim if you are bleeding or have open

wounds;

* If schooling fish start to behave erratically or start to congregate in unusually large numbers, leave the water;

* If a large fish is sighted in the area, leave the water as quickly and calmly as possible;

* In case of emergency, follow the instructions of the lifeguards;

* Swim within the red boomline of the beaches and kept away from the nets;

* In case of sighting of any shark or shark-like

object, dial 999 as soon as possible.

Gazetted beaches of Pro RC installed with shark prevention nets are: Casam, Lido and Tung Wan in Tsuen Wan; Butterfly, Kadoorie, Cafeteria New and Golden in Tuen Mun; Clear Water Bay 1st Beach, Clear Water Bay 2nd Beach, Hap Mun Bay, Kiu Tsui, Silverstrand and Trio in Sai Kung; as well as Upper Cheung Sha, Pui O, Silvermine Bay, Tong Fuk, Hung Shing Yeh, Lo So Shing, Kwun Yam Wan and Tung Wan in Islands District.

All gazetted beaches of PUC are installed with shark prevention nets: Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay, Middle Bay, South Bay, Chung Hum Kok, St Stephen's, Stanley Main, Hairpin, Turtle Cove, Shek O and Big Wave Bay beaches in Southern.

End/Wednesday, May 5, 1998

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