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Shark sighting at HSY?
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Author:  Alan [ Fri Aug 15, 2014 8:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Shark sighting at HSY?
At HSY this morning (Friday 15/8/14) there was a notice that there had been a shark sighting that warned people not to swim outside the shark net.

About 6:30 they put up a notice saying the beach was "closed" and anyone going in the water would be subject to prosecution.

Not sure if the situation had actually changed or if this was just to cover their arses as they closed up shop shortly after.

They didn't actually try to stop me going in and after they pulled down the shutters a dozen other swimmers joined me.

No sign of sharks and the water was clean and refreshingly cool, best it's been for weeks.

LCSD has no credibility with their "warnings" as they hoist the red flag for 1 foot high waves or a harmless whale shark seen miles away.

There has never been a shark attack at HSY, or even a real sighting, and we do have the million-dollar shark net if any sharks are in the bay. So I don't feel much concern about it. One day I may come back short a leg, but I doubt it.
Author:  Lamma-Gung [ Sat Aug 16, 2014 1:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shark sighting at HSY?
Coconut Hong Kong covered this story very nicely:

Shark Week For Real: Two Lamma Island beaches close after swimmer spots baby shark

"On Thursday red and shark flags were hoisted at two beaches on Lamma Island after a swimmer found a suspected baby shark that was about 50cm long at Hung Shing Yeh Beach. The flags were hoisted at Lo So Shing Beach as well due to its proximity to the location of the sighting. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department later identified the shark to be a spadenose shark (Scoliodon laticaudus).

In a stunning display of massive overreaction, the Government Flying Service and the Marine Police to swept the area for any large fish or sharks, finding nothing, while a LCSD sonar search also found no sharks. The shark net was inspected and was found to be in good condition.

The two beaches will remain temporarily closed for safety reasons, while all other LCSD beaches and water sports centres have “enhanced vigilance”.

There was a string of three fatal shark attacks within 10 days in 1995, which prompted the government to install shark nets at official beaches. There have since been no shark attacks, and sightings remain rare.

Scientists estimate that 100 million sharks are killed by humans every year, and Hong Kong is the world’s biggest trade hub for shark’s fin. So we think it’s great news that sharks are feeling welcome again in Hong Kong.

Photo (a spadenose shark specimen from Thailand) by Tassapon Krajangdara and Montri Sumontha via Wikimedia."

A photo of the Shark Alert #1 flag hoisted yesterday atop the Hung Shing Yeh changing room/shower/toilet building:

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Author:  Lamma-Gung [ Sat Aug 16, 2014 1:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shark sighting at HSY?
The red flag means "Danger! Stay out of the water" and the blue-white one is self-explanatory:

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Author:  Alan [ Sat Aug 16, 2014 4:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shark sighting at HSY?
They KNEW it was a baby shark of a completely harmless species.

Wikipedia {L_WROTE}:
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.


They close up the lifeguard and first aid service at 6 pm when there are still dozens of people, including many children, swimming, to save paying overtime.
But they spend a fortune on air searches for a fucking harmless baby fish.
Bureaucratic safety: cover the bosses' arses, regardless of cost or inconvenience to the public.


LCSD press releases
LCSD {L_WROTE}:
Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Lo So Shing Beach temporarily closed after baby shark found
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

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
NNNN


Also this notice was issued at 11pm last night, 6 hours after they actually closed the beach. 11 hours after the sighting.
So the notice is retrospective, more arse covering, not for the public's benefit but their own.
Jellyfish and red tide are much more of a health risk at Hung Shing Yeh, yet they never make any notices about those.


And today, there is a red flag again::
LCSD {L_WROTE}:
Red flag hoisted at Hung Shing Yeh Beach
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

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

NNNN


This is bullshit. The beach is completely safe today, as it was yesterday.

I've been swimming at Hung Shing Yeh for almost 25 years. It's a very placid millpond.
The ONLY time there are "dangerous waves" there is during a typhoon.

They have made the red flag a joke. If there is ever a real danger, they have trained us to ignore them by crying wolf, every other day for any trivial thing.


I can and do ignore them, but for instance a friend had some guests, tourists, over yesterday and they went to the beach, but were put off by all this scaremongering, and so went back to Central without enjoying a swim.

Maybe CY Leung can sign a petition against the obstruction of our beaches by bureaucrats.
Author:  Lamma-Gung [ Sat Aug 16, 2014 5:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shark sighting at HSY?
Alan {L_WROTE}:
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? :roll:

Huge poster outside Sampan restaurant where all the Lamma visitors can see it when arriving off the ferry:

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Author:  Alan [ Sat Aug 16, 2014 5:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shark sighting at HSY?
Lamma-Gung {L_WROTE}:
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 hear you get $100 and a free lunch, so I'm considering it.
Author:  Goat Maison [ Tue Aug 19, 2014 4:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shark sighting at HSY?
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? :)

In Hong Kong, after the shark-attack death of three swimmers over 10 days in 1995, the government installed shark nets on all 32 gazetted beaches. Unlike the long-line and gill-net designs common in Australia and South Africa, these are permanent installations and are barrier nets. There have been zero fatalities since installation in 1995.

The Hong Kong nets are generally 35 mm square on the surface 2 m and 100 mm square thereafter. They are suspended off 225 mm HDPE pipe or BL14 Marine Float Lines, and anchored strongly to resist the many typhoons and waves up to 10 m. They are anti-fouled, and spend an average of 9 months a year in the water. An average net enclosure would be 500 m long and either semi-circular or rectangular in shape. They are diver-inspected a minimum of two times a week, and independent verification is required. They also exclude floating refuse, and clearly define the swimming area. They can be clearly picked out on Google Earth - at 22^14'38" North, 114^11'26" East, see "Repulse Bay".
Author:  Alan [ Tue Aug 19, 2014 8:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shark sighting at HSY?
Goat Maison {L_WROTE}:
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? :)


I doubt it.
A few times a year maybe.

The nets do touch the bottom though, just dive down and see for yourself. It's not deep. Not much more than 3 metres.

{L_QUOTE}:
There have been zero fatalities since installation in 1995.

There were zero fatalities here before 1995.
None of the shark attacks were at gazetted beaches, all in Sai Kung I think.

A huge waste of time and money.
The equivalent of putting railings on country paths every and anywhere possible.
I'd rather they spent 1% of what they spend on shark hysteria on having someone go out and scoop up plastic bags once a day rather than wait till they get washed up on shore.
Author:  PNWxplant [ Mon Aug 25, 2014 2:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shark sighting at HSY?
hey only close the beach if the shark is over 8 feet or is acting aggressively

http://www.inquisitr.com/1430939/four-s ... each-pier/

Oh and the Spade nose shark they found wasnt a baby, it was a small adult. they only get 74cm long and this one was 50cm.
Author:  Alan [ Tue Aug 26, 2014 12:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shark sighting at HSY?
RTHK {L_WROTE}:
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.


Even a serious health risk is ignored now by those who have learned that LCSD warnings are usually bogus.
Author:  rambler [ Tue Aug 26, 2014 2:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shark sighting at HSY?
... they could be prosecuted...

I just wonder on what charges. Looks like I commited an offence several times.
Author:  Alan [ Tue Aug 26, 2014 5:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shark sighting at HSY?
rambler {L_WROTE}:
... they could be prosecuted...

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


Only if there was a notice put up warning you specifically.
With the shark panic last week there was a notice to that effect posted. 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.

-- update: added an image of the notice at HSY.

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Author:  rambler [ Tue Aug 26, 2014 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shark sighting at HSY?
Alan {L_WROTE}:
rambler {L_WROTE}:
... 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.


Swimming with underage shark in polluted waters
Author:  Alan [ Tue Aug 26, 2014 9:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shark sighting at HSY?
Sent this to the SCMP :

{L_QUOTE}:
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.


PS -- appeared in SCMP Letters September 1st.
Let's see what mealy-mouthed response LCSD makes.
Author:  Lamma-Gung [ Mon Sep 01, 2014 4:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shark sighting at HSY?
Alan's letter above has been published as the lead Letter to the Editor today, Sep 1:

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