Some fishermen are complaining that fish are showing a poor appetite.
While the
polypropylene pellets in question are non-toxic, environmentalists fear they will absorb toxins
which will then pass into the food chain.
The Hong Kong government is gearing up full
momentum to do the clean-up work and assess the impact on food safety and marine ecology.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, which is responsible for regulating
fishing industry, has been closely monitoring the situation and assured the public that no
abnormal activity or death of fish has been reported.
However, in thirty seven fish samples
the department collected as of 12 August from three affected marine fish culture zones,
pellets ranging from 0.4 gram to one gram were found in the stomachs of seven fish samples.
The government said the food safety risk was believed to be low.
Worries Over Pellet Spill Polluting Wild Fish
HONG KONG - Following reports that a pellet spill last week has impacted on fish farms, the local fishing industry and some consumers are now worried that the pellet spill might pollute fish caught locally.
by Lucy Towers
