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The Government today (August 20) 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 (FEHD) (as at 4pm today)
Location: Chi Ma Wan, Shap Long San Tsuen, Wang Tong, Silvermine Bay, Tso Wan and Sam Pak Wan, Nim Shue Wan and Cheung Sha Lan, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island; Tung Wan and Nam Wan, Peng Chau; Tung Wan Tsai, Cheung Chau; Tung O Wan, Shek Pai Wan, Sham Wan, Yung Shue Wan and So Kwu Wan, Lamma Island; Po Toi Island; and Stanley Bay and Pak Sha Wan, Stanley
Quantity: 378.1 kilograms
Marine Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Po Toi Island and Tung O Wan, Lamma Island
Quantity: 69.5kg
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 20 marine fish samples today, and revealed that no plastic pellets were detected. Since August 6, the CFS has tested 520 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) did not receive reports of the presence of plastic pellets or abnormal fish death at fish culture zones from mariculturists 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 at Tung Wan and Kwun Yam Wan on Cheung Chau, and Tung O Wan and Shek Pai Wan on 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/Monday, August 20, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:35
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