Government ignoring Tolo pollution, say fishermen
Environmentalists and fishermen have accused the Government of turning a blind eye to pollution in Tolo Harbour caused by the Science Park reclamations.
Fishermen around Pak Shek Kok have reported smelly sludge and rubbish on the sea bed and floating rubbish along waters near the reclamation project.
A three-minute trip by boat resulted in nets of refuse instead of fish.
'The water has become so dirty most fish have died. Our fish catch has dropped more than 70 per cent compared with two years ago,' said Wong Yung-kan, Federation of Hong Kong Aquaculture Associations chairman and Tai Po district board member.
However, the Environmental Protection Department said monitoring had not shown any obvious deterioration in Tolo Harbour in the past two years.
'According to environmental monitoring and audits results so far, the impact of the reclamation project alone was found to be localised in the vicinity of the site and infrequent,' a spokesman said.
'There appeared no strong link between the Pak Shek Kok reclamation project and the rubbish and mud complaints.' Mr Wong said the affected area was growing.
Friends of the Earth director Mei Ng Fong Siu-mei questioned whether an Environmental Impact Assessment had been carried out thoroughly. 'Incidents like this show the Government's monitor is lax about its own projects,' she said.
'We're not only asking for compensation but also hope they can step up monitoring of pollution,' Mr Wong said.
Fishermen have asked for compensation of $20 million while the Government has agreed to pay $3 million.
