Tag Archives: China

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Grading of beach water quality released

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (November 30) released the latest grading of water quality for nine gazetted beaches. Other beaches have been closed to swimmers from November 1 for the winter season.
        
     Seven beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and two as Fair (Grade 2).
 
Grade 1 beaches are: 
 

Clear Water Bay Second Beach* Repulse Bay Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach# Silverstrand Beach
Golden Beach Stanley Main Beach^
Middle Bay Beach#  
 
Grade 2 beaches are:
 
Big Wave Bay Beach^ Silver Mine Bay Beach^
 
* The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today that Clear Water Bay Second Beach will reopen on December 1. 
^ For Silver Mine Bay Beach, Stanley Main Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach, lifeguard services are suspended from December 1, 2018, to February 28, 2019.
# Deep Water Bay Beach and Middle Bay Beach remain closed until further notice due to the severe damage brought about by Typhoon Mangkhut earlier.
 
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
      
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department’s websites on Beach Water Quality (www.beachwq.gov.hk and www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. read more

East Asia

Third round results of Public Policy Research Funding Scheme 2018-19 announced

     The Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO) announced today (November 30) the results of the third round applications to the Public Policy Research (PPR) Funding Scheme in 2018-19.
 
     The PPR Funding Scheme aims to promote public policy research and provide evidence-based research to facilitate public policy discussion. Applications are accepted throughout the year. For the third round exercise in 2018-19, PICO received 21 applications. On the advice of an assessment panel, PICO has decided to support five projects with a total funding of about $3 million.
 
     Applications to the PPR Funding Scheme are assessed by an assessment panel, chaired by and comprising experienced academics, who will take into account comments of reviewers who are academics and experts outside the panel in considering the applications. Each application is considered on its merits and relevance to public policy development in Hong Kong. A declaration of interests system is in place to ensure that the assessments are fair and impartial.
 
     Details of the funded projects have been uploaded to PICO’s website (www.pico.gov.hk/en/PRFS). read more

East Asia

Red tide sighted

     A red tide has been sighted, an inter-departmental red tide working group reported today (November 30).
 
     The red tide was spotted by staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) at the Yim Tin Tsai fish culture zone today.
 
     The red tide still persists and no associated death of fish has been reported.
 
     A spokesman for the working group said, “The red tide was formed by Prorocentrum balticum, which is not commonly found in Hong Kong waters and is non-toxic.”
 
     The AFCD urged mariculturists at the Yim Tin Tsai, Yim Tin Tsai (East), Yung Shue Au and Lo Fu Wat fish culture zones to monitor the situation closely and increase aeration where necessary.
 
     Red tide is a natural phenomenon. The AFCD’s proactive phytoplankton monitoring programme will continue monitoring red tide occurrences to minimise the impact on the mariculture industry and the public. read more

East Asia