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694 01 654
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32
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The first part of the question asks what other shark prevention measures are adopted by the Council to safeguard swimmers' safety besides the installation of shark prevention nets last year.
Regarding the shark prevention measures taken to ensure the public's safety, the Council has already installed shark prevention nets at 11 gazetted beaches (which are opened to the public) since 1996. In addition, the Department will arrange suitable publicity on how to avoid shark attack and safety rules on swimming. The Department has also established a communication network with other concerned government departments with a view to disseminating the message of shark sighting to the public at the first instance. Furthermore, the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Shark Attack will continue to arrange aircraft to patrol the beaches during the swimming season for the surveillance of shark trails.
The second part of the question asks if the Council will consider studying the use of 'shark repellent device' to repel sharks away from the Council's beaches.
Regarding the consideration of using shark repeller, according to information available, this device is only suitable for personal protection of individual divers. This device cannot be used to cover the whole swimming area. Therefore, the Department will not consider using it at present. However, the Department has a close liaison with the concerned manufacturer who is experimenting with a device to cover a large swimming area.
The third part of the question enquires if the deterioration in water quality at St. Stephen's Beach has any relation with the discharge by the primary sewage treatment plant that was newly constructed in Stanley?
The recorded average number of E-coli per 100 ml of water at St. Stephen's Beach in 1995 and 1996 are 22 (good) and 30 (fair) respectively. The water quality of the beach is considered to be satisfactory. The Stanley sewage treatment plant which was built near the beach is for the improvement of water quality. Therefore, it will not have an adverse effect on the water quality at St. Stephen's Beach.
The fourth part of the question enquires what measures are adopted by the Council in order to improve water cleanliness at its beaches (especially St. Stephen's Beach).
To maintain good water quality at the beaches (including St. Stephen's Beach), this Department has arranged to clear the land refuse and sea-borne refuse at all the beaches every day to ensure beach cleanliness. In addition, the Environmental Protection Department has regularly collected water samples at the beaches for analysis in order to monitor water quality and to seek necessary improvements.
Page 34 of 654
694 01 654
Page 34 of 654
32
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The first part of the question asks what other shark prevention measures are adopted by the Council to safeguard swimmers' safety besides the installation of shark prevention nets last year.
Regarding the shark prevention measures taken to ensure public's safety, the Council has already installed shark prevention nets at 11 gazetted beaches (which are opened to the public) since 1996. In addition, the Department will arrange suitable publicity on how to avoid shark attack and safety rules on swimming. The Department has also established a communication network with other concerned government departments with a view to disseminating the message of shark sighting to the public at the first instance. Furthermore, the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Shark Attack will continue to arrange aircraft to patrol the beaches during the swimming season for the surveillance of shark trails.
The second part of the question asks if the Council will consider studying the use of 'shark repellent device to repel sharks away from the Council's beaches.
Regarding the consideration of using shark repeller, according to information available, this device is only suitable for personal protection of individual divers. This device cannot be used to cover the whole swimming area. Therefore, the Department will not consider using it at present. However, the Department has a close liaison with the concerned manufacturer who is experimenting with a device to cover a large swimming area.
The third part of the question enquires if the deterioration in water quality at St. Stephen's Beach has any relation with the discharge by the primary sewage treatment plant that was newly constructed in Stanley?
The recorded average number of E-coli per 100 ml of water at St. Stephen's Beach in 1995 and 1996 are 22 (good) and 30 (fair) respectively. The water quality of the beach is considered to be satisfactory. The Stanley sewage treatment plant which was built near the beach is for the improvement of water quality. Therefore, it will not have adverse effect on the water quality at St. Stephen's Beach.
The fourth part of the question enquires what measures are adopted by the Council in order to improve water cleanliness at its beaches (especially St. Stephen's Beach).
To maintain a good water quality at the beaches (including St. Stephen's Beach), this Department has arranged to clear the land refuse and sca-borne refuse at all the beaches every day to ensure the beach cleanliness. In addition, the Environmental Protection Department has regularly collected water samples at the beaches for analysis in order to monitor water quality and to seek necessary improvements.
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