>Press Releases Home > Publications and press releases > Press Releases Operation to net "litterbugs" in Aberdeen typhoon shelter The Marine Department today (Thursday) launched a two-week operation to step up prosecution actions against marine littering in Aberdeen typhoon shelter. Additional staff from the department's Pollution Control Unit (PCU) and Harbour Patrol Section will be deployed for the operation, which will be conducted round-the-clock. Apart from patrolling fairways within the typhoon shelter, a team of officers will also carry out shoreline patrols to prosecute "litterbugs" dumping litter at sea. A Marine Department spokesman said that prosecution actions were considered to be an effective measure to deter marine littering, which would enhance the department's effort in keeping the typhoon shelter clean through educational activities and clean-up operations. But he stressed that cooperation from members of the public, particularly those users of the typhoon shelter, was crucial to keeping the environment there clean. Throughout the territory, 89 cases of marine littering were taken to the court last year, of which 88 cases have been convicted. This year, up till end of August, there were already 85 cases and all of them have been convicted. The spokesman said that summonses would be issued to offenders without prior warning, adding that according to Summary Offences Ordinance, the maximum penalty for marine littering is a fine of $10,000 and six months' imprisonment. In July this year, as part of the 'Healthy Living into the 21st Century Campaign', Aberdeen typhoon shelter has been identified as one of the hygiene black spots in Southern District. "Our target is to keep the typhoon shelter clean and to eliminate this black spot as soon as possible," the spokesman said. At present, intensive cleaning operations will be mounted at specific locations if necessary, where extra manpower and resources in addition to the daily cleansing fleet will be deployed to scavenge floating refuse. So far this year, 15 intensive cleaning operations have been conducted in Aberdeen typhoon shelter, more than 10 such operations in the whole of 1998. In 1998, 482 tonnes of floating refuse was scavenged from Aberdeen typhoon shelter. In the first eight months this year, 324 tonnes of floating refuse has been collected. The spokesman urged vessels in the typhoon shelter to make use of a free boat-to-boat refuse collection service provided by the department. Statistics show that in 1998, 295 tonnes of household refuse was collected in Aberdeen typhoon shelter, while in the first eight months this year, refuse collected amount to 229 tonnes. On educational and publicity activities, four seminars have been conducted this year to alert typhoon shelter users the importance of keeping the typhoon shelter clean. From time to time, PCU vessels are deployed to drive home the keep clean concept at the shelter through banners and broadcasting of appealing messages. The department has also taken the initiative to constantly liaise with other Government departments and fishermen's bodies to solicit their cooperation in this matter. The spokesman reiterated that members of the public could call the PCU hotline 2815 0100 any time to report sighting of floating refuse or to complain against marine littering. "Clean-up or prosecution actions will be taken at the earliest possible time once reports or complaints are received," he added. Thursday, 30 September 1999
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