XN000022-1995-06-05 — Page 2

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Surveillance on shark attacks to remain in force

The inter-departmental working group on shark attacks, chaired by the acting Deputy Secretary for Recreation and Culture, Mr Ian Petersen, convened a second special meeting this (Monday) afternoon to reassess the current shark situation in Hong Kong.

Urban Services The meeting was attended by representatives from the Department, Regional Services Department, the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, the Police, as well as experts from the University of Hong Kong and the Ocean Park Corporation.

After a two-hour meeting, consensus was reached:

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to maintain the existing alert, surveillance and warnings about sharks at appropriate gazetted beaches managed by the Urban Services and Regional Services departments;

not to conduct any shark hunt as it may create a false sense of security among the swimming public and is unlikely to be effective given the disturbance likely to be caused by other interested parties. In addition, whether or not any shark is caught, others may still be in the area and the conduct of the hunt may also actually attract more sharks into the area. Furthermore, people's lives may be put at risk in the process;

to consider consulting overseas experts to analyse the information the working group has to date; and

to produce a new television and radio API to publicise the danger of entering the water at this time.

Members of the group urged the public not to enter the water anywhere at Sai Kung at present.

"We are disturbed that our warnings in this regard are still being ignored." Mr Petersen said.

"This is really regrettable as swimmers expose not only themselves to danger unnecessarily, but they also put at risk those who try to save them in case of emergency," he added.