Spadenose shark A small shark reaching a length of 74 cm (29 in), the spadenose shark is named for its distinctively flattened, triangular snout. It is a predator of small bony fishes and invertebrates. The spadenose shark is harmless to humans and is valued by artisanal and commercial fishers for its meat and fins.

Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Lo So Shing Beach temporarily closed after baby shark found
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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (August 15) that it had hoisted red and shark flags at Hung Shing Yeh Beach and the nearby Lo So Shing Beach today after a baby shark was found at Hung Shing Yeh Beach.

Around noon, a swimmer found a suspected baby shark measuring about 50 centimetres (19 inches) in length and six to seven centimetres in body diameter at the beach. The fish was later identified by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) as Scoliodon laticaudus, common name Spadenose Shark.

Upon LCSD's request, the Government Flying Service and the Marine Police had searched the water in the vicinity and found no sighting of sharks or big fish. LCSD's shark prevention net maintenance contractor had carried out sonar inspection at the two beaches and found no sign of big fish within the swimming zone. The contractor had also inspected the shark prevention net and found it in good condition.

The LCSD announced that Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Lo So Shing Beach would remain temporarily closed for safety reason.

Staff of all other LCSD beaches and water sports centres has also enhanced vigilance. Swimmers are advised to stay inside the shark prevention nets to ensure safety.

Ends/Friday, August 15, 2014
Issued at HKT 22:55
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Red flag hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach
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Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 16) that due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach in Islands District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

Ends/Saturday, August 16, 2014
Issued at HKT 14:00

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Maybe CY Leung can sign a petition against the obstruction of our beaches by bureaucrats.

So does this mean you're not going to Victoria Park tomorrow afternoon at 3pm, wearing white and supporting "Peace and Democracy", together with all our DAB friends who dominate so much of Lamma as the only really active political party here?

I'm told that the nets don't touch the ground so a cheeky shark might get our ankles after all. The text below is from Wikipedia. Do they really send frogmen down twice a week to inspect the nets?

There have been zero fatalities since installation in 1995.

Sewage fails to deter swimmers
26-08-2014
Lifeguards put up a notice advising people to stay out of the water. Photo: RTHK
A number of people have been ignoring warnings not to go swimming at 14 beaches in Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun that have been temporarily closed due to an emergency discharge of sewage from a malfunctioning treatment plant.

Despite notices advising people that they could be prosecuted for entering the water, some still went swimming, saying they would clean themselves afterwards.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department said water samples would be collected from the affected areas today and the beaches won't be re-opened until water quality returns to acceptable levels.

The Drainage Services Department said it was trying to repair the Pillar Point Sewage Treatment Plant in Tuen Mun as soon as possible.

... they could be prosecuted...

I just wonder on what charges. Looks like I commited an offence several times.

... Can't recall the legislation cited...

Everyone knows how stupid it is and I can't imagine the police or courts carrying through with it.

Dear Editor,

On Monday you report people ignored warnings not to swim at beaches closed due to sewage discharge despite notices that they could be prosecuted. The spin is that these people are idiots, but I can fully understand their reasoning.

LCSD closes beaches on the slightest excuse. On Lamma on 15th August there was a shark sighting and notices were put up telling people to keep out of the water under pain of prosecution.

This despite the beach being protected by an expensive sharknet. And more importantly, that the "shark" had already, when the notice was put up, identified as a completely harmless small fish.

LCSD release:
"Around noon, a swimmer found a suspected baby shark measuring about 50 centimetres in length and six to seven centimetres in body diameter at the beach. The fish was later identified by AFCD as Scoliodon laticaudus, common name Spadenose Shark. "

Obviously the only reason the notice was posted or the beach was closed was to protect the backsides of bureaucrats who saw the word "shark" and went into full panic mode. The water was clean and safe. Yet tourists and locals were turned away because a harmless fish was sighted. Same thing happened last year when another harmless shark (a whale shark that time) was sighted.

Compare this hysteria with the measured reaction at a Californian beach on Sunday:

"Four juvenile great whites were observed circling swimmers. Lifeguard Kylie Daniels said that the beach was not cleared of swimmers due to protocol. Beachgoers are only told to leave the water when sharks are over eight feet in length and acting aggressively."

Here, frequently, the "red flag" is raised at Hung Shing Yeh, and we are harangued over a loudspeaker to keep out of the water. Meanwhile toddlers are splashing in the "dangerous waves", no more than 6 inches high. Hung Shing Yeh is very sheltered and never has dangerous waves except during a typhoon.

LCSD warnings have lost all credibility by their crying wolf. So in the case of a real danger they will not be trusted.
Meanwhile, real safety issues are ignored. The lifeguards clock off sharp at 6 pm weekdays and shut the first aid station, while the sun is still up and dozens are still swimming. The LCSD can budget for helicopters to take photos of baby sharks but not overtime to protect the public.