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The Government today (August 25) 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, Shap Long San Tsuen, Wang Tong, Ngau Kwu Wan, Silvermine Bay, Cheung Sha Wan, Tso Wan and Sam Pak Wan, Nim Shue Wan, Cheung Sha Lan, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island; Tung Wan, Peng Chau; Tung Wan, Tung Wan Tsai, Cheung Chau; Stanley Bay.
Quantity: 103.3kg
Due to inclement weather conditions, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Marine Department could not continue with the cleaning operations in remote areas today.
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) tested 20 marine fish samples today, and revealed that no plastic pellets were detected. Since August 6, CFS has tested 620 marine fish samples in the wholesale and retail markets of Hong Kong and no plastic pellets were detected. Tests conducted so far 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 (AFCD) today received reports by mariculturists that trace amounts of plastic pellets were found at Cheung Sha Wan fish culture zone. The pellets have been cleaned up. The AFCD did not receive report of abnormal fish death at fish culture zones today.
The Marine Police has reported presence of plastic pellets on Tung O Wan and Shek Pai 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/Saturday, August 25, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:18
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