Angler's autopsy:
A fish farmer shows Chief Secretary Carrie Lam and Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man a dead fish during their site inspection.
Angler's autopsy:
A fish farmer shows Chief Secretary Carrie Lam and Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man a dead fish during their site inspection.
Gov’t to help mariculture industry
August 08, 2012
Chief Secretary Carrie Lam says the Government will provide support to those in the mariculture industry affected by the plastic pellets spill.
Inspecting the pellets' impact on the mariculture industry in Chi Ma Wan today, Mrs Lam said the Government will liaise with the industry and assess the spill's damage.
It has mainly affected mariculture farms in the southwest of Hong Kong, due to sea currents. Five of Hong Kong's 26 fish culture zones have been affected.
The highest proportion of pellets found has been in Chi Ma Wan. A mariculturist there showed Mrs Lam pellets found in a fish's gut.
Mrs Lam said the Government will investigate who is responsible for the spill, and take remedial measures.
"The Department of Justice together with the Marine Department are discussing the matter, tracing the whole incident, and looking at various parties involved."
Experts from the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department, and outside the Government, say food safety will not be affected, even if fish have eaten the pellets. The Centre for Food Safety will strengthen sample checking, but no abnormalities have been found so far.
The Government has deployed more staff to strengthen pellet patrols, and hold clean-up operations.
The amount of plastic pellets cleared will be announced daily.
Mrs Lam thanked green groups for helping in the clean up, and said the Government will deploy manpower to assist them.
The Government is also liaising with recyclers on how to deal with the pellets. She reiterated that the pellets will not be disposed of in landfills. The Government will find a place to store them until the most environmentally-friendly solution is identified.
