Government agencies have so far collected more than 50 tonnes of palm oil spilled at sea after a vessel collision in the Pearl River Estuary on August 5.
Apart from deploying scavenging vessels for routine cleanup of floating refuse, the Marine Department has arranged nine vessels and two foreshore cleaning teams to enhance the cleanup in western and southern parts of Hong Kong.
The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department has inspected 16 non-gazetted beaches and cleaned up their shores. It collected 110 bags of palm oil waste at Nga Kau Wan on Lamma Island and found a small amount of pollutant at Pat Kan Beach adjacent to St Stephen’s Beach in Stanley.
The Environmental Protection Department has arranged to collect water samples from beaches to test for oil. Until the results are ready, Hung Shing Yeh, Lo So Shing, Pui O, Upper and Lower Cheung Sha, Tong Fuk, Repulse Bay, Middle Bay, South Bay, Chung Hom Kok and St Stephen’s beaches will remain closed.
Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department inspection of fish culture zones on Lantau Island, Lamma Island, Po Toi and Ma Wan have found a small amount of palm oil in Lo Tik Wan fish culture zone and waters near Po Toi. The case has been referred to the Marine Department.
After spotting a small amount of palm oil in Cape D’Aguilar Marine Reserve, a contractor has been arranged to clean it up.
The departments will complete cleanup operations soon to minimise the spill's impact on the environment, food safety and human health, the Government said.
