The Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) said in a statement yesterday that the amount of rubbish floating on the surface of Macau’s coastal waters has almost doubled compared to normal days, adding that a government-outsourced cleaning company is cleaning up the marine litter.
According to the statement, the debris mainly consists of plant material and household rubbish. The situation is serious in some areas, including the Inner Harbour, Ká-Hó Port, as well as Cheoc Van and Hac Sac beaches, it added.
The bureau estimated that the situation is due to the recent heavy rain and flooding, which washed the debris along the coast into the river and expelled it into the city’s coastal waters, the statement noted.
The bureau has told the government-outsourced cleaning company to send its workers to clean up the marine litter, floating on the surface of Macau’s coastal waters, along the coast and on beaches, adding that DSAMA boats and staff have been sent to assist the company in the removal work.
The statement noted that since July, about 35 tonnes of debris has been removed from the sea, while around 10 to 15 tonnes of rubbish were removed from beaches on peak days.
Moreover, the bureau has required the company to urge its workers to strictly abide by the government’s COVID-19 prevention and control measures, such as wearing KN95 facemasks during work and undergoing rapid antigen tests (RAT) before going to work, according to the statement.
The bureau said in the statement that it will continue to monitor the collection of debris from the coastal waters, adding that more DSAMA staff will be sent to patrol coastal areas and the city’s two beaches.
The bureau urged members of the public to notify the bureau by calling 6618 8644 or 6658 5336 if they find accumulated rubbish on the surface of coastal waters or on the two beaches respectively.
This undated handout photo provided by the Marine and Water Bureau (DSAMA) shows a large amount of marine debris floating in the coastal waters near the Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal.
