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The Government today (August 12) continued to clean up the plastic pellets scattered on beaches, in fish culture zones and at sea after the typhoon.
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) (as at 4pm today)
Location: Chi Ma Wan, Cheung Sha Wan, Shap Long, Wang Tong, Lantau Island; Tung Wan, Peng Chau; Tung Wan Tsai, Cheung Chau; Tung O Wan and Shek Pai Wan, Lamma Island; Tso Wan, Lantau Island; Stanley Bay.
Quantity: 263.5 kg
Marine Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: near Tung O Wan, Lamma Island
Quantity: 450 kg
Leisure and Cultural Services Department (as at 4pm today)
Location: Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Lo So Shing Beach
Quantity: Small amounts (0.2 kg)
Centre of Food Safety (CFS) tested 40 marine fish samples today, and revealed that no plastic pellets were detected. Since August 6, CFS has tested 250 marine fish samples in the wholesale and retail markets of Hong Kong, and no plastic pellets were detected. Tests conducted in this week suggested that the pellet incident did not cause 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. 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 presence of plastic pellets or abnormal fish death at fish culture zones from mariculturists today.
The Marine Police continues to assist in locating the scattered plastic pellets. The Marine Police has reported presence of plastic pellets on Tung O Wan, Lamma Island and Tung Wan, Cheung Chau. 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/Sunday, August 12, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:36
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