XN000022-1995-07-07 — Page 26

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24.

This sighting was the first since June 28.

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Mr Petersen pointed out that with the approach of the summer holidays, more people, and especially students, might wish to swim at beaches.

"It is, therefore, of paramount importance that they swim only at gazetted beaches outside Sai Kung and remain vigilant when they engage in any kind of water sports," he said. Mr Petersen also appealed to teachers and parents to help ensure that their pupils and their children were aware of the potential danger to themselves and how to minimise it. "They should always follow the advice of lifeguards and/or the police on the spot and respond promptly to their instructions for their own safety."

As an alternative to swimming at beaches, he said, they could make use of the 27 swimming pool complexes managed by the two Municipal Councils in various districts, noting that some of these are open from 6.30 am to 10 pm daily.

In a bid to put across the message to students before their current school terms terminate in mid-July, posters explaining the danger posed by sharks and the precautions to be taken have been distributed to all primary and secondary schools in the territory by the Inter-departmental Working Group with the assistance of the two Municipal Councils and the Education Department.

These posters are also on display at Information Services Department poster sites and various Government and Municipal Council buildings to drive home the message to the general public, Mr Petersen noted.

Over 4,000 posters have been distributed as part of the publicity package which includes on-going advisory warnings on the radio and the television.

Shark warning flags have been hoisted at the Campers, Clear Water Bay First, Clear Water Bay Second, Hap Mun Bay, Kiu Tsui, Pak Shan Chau, Silverstrand and Trio beaches since June 2.

The Government Flying Service will continue with its dawn surveillance programme over Sai Kung waters on Fridays and weekends to monitor the situation. Lifeguards at gazetted beaches and the Marine Police were also on the alert to spot sharks and respond as necessary.