Beach blitz: Deputy Director of Leisure & Cultural Services Alan Siu says despite the rubbish, beaches are still safe to swim at.

An inter-departmental group has been formed to study the source of large quantities of floating refuse on some Southern and Islands District beaches.

Deputy Director of Leisure & Cultural Services Alan Siu said today water quality at the beaches is suitable for swimming, but the Environmental Protection Department will increase water quality tests.

Mr Siu said the southwest monsoon in late-June appears to have brought in a lot of the rubbish to Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay, Pui O and Tong Fuk Beaches.

The department has mobilised extra manpower to clear the refuse, while the Marine Department has deployed eight additional vessels to clear floating rubbish.