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The Government today (August 15) 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, Wang Tong, Ngau Kwu Wan, Lantau Island; Tung Wan, Peng Chau; Tung Wan Tsai, Cheung Chau; Tung O Wan, Shek Pai Wan, Yung Shue Wan, So Kwu Wan, Lamma Island; Tso Wan, Lantau Island; Pak Sha Wan, Stanley Bay, Stanley.
Quantity: 103 kilograms
Marine Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Sham Wan, Tung O Wan, Lamma Island; Tung Wan Tsai, Cheung Chau; Hei Ling Chau.
Quantity: 366kg
Leisure and Cultural Services Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Silverstrand Beach
Quantity: Small amount
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) tested 40 marine fish samples today, and revealed that no plastic pellets were detected. Since August 6, the CFS has tested 370 marine fish samples in the wholesale and retail markets of Hong Kong and no plastic pellets have been detected. Tests conducted so far suggested that the pellet incident did not cause 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 two live fish samples from Sok Kwu Wan fish culture zone today and no plastic pellets were detected.
The Marine Police has reported the presence of plastic pellets at 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/Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:23
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