Pui O Wetland Recovers After Successful Oil Pollution Cleanup Efforts by Environmental Protection Department

Restoration of Pui O wetland ecology through effective interdepartmental collaboration

Regarding an oil pollution incident found in the Pui O wetland in September 2025, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said today (March 9) that through interdepartmental collaboration, immediate clearance actions, and smart monitoring, the environment of the Pui O wetland has already shown significant improvement earlier on. The wetland is now in good condition and the ecological environment is fully recovering.

During September last year, members of the public reported oil pollution at Pui O wetland. The EPD accorded high priority to the incident and immediately deployed staff to the site for an inspection. A small amount of an oil spill of approximately 0.02 hectares was spotted on-site. In addition to using oil absorbent pads to contain the problem immediately, EPD staff conducted follow-up investigations for more than a month and invited other government departments, including the Water Supplies Department, to assist in the clearance. The main component of the oil pollution was Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons, which are commonly found in industrial or automotive diesel. The residual amount of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons left in the natural environment after clearance will gradually decompose through microbial degradation and natural volatilisation, without causing long-term impact on the ecological environment.

Regarding the ecological environment of the site, the EPD invited the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to conduct a joint investigation. The investigation showed that the site habitat began to gradually recover from late September 2025. Inspections by the EPD on February 5 and today (March 9) revealed that the wetland is in good condition, and the ecological environment is fully recovering (see attached photos).

In respect of this oil pollution incident, EPD staff visited the complaint site and surrounding areas such as construction sites, a car parking area and a refuse collection point, but no oil spill or pollution sources were found at the sites or in the vicinity, suggesting that this incident was an isolated event. To prevent similar incidents, the EPD has recommended the upstream premises and construction sites to remove potential pollution sources, and has installed a closed-circuit television system nearby, along with regular patrols to monitor the situation.

An EPD spokesperson stated, "The comprehensive handling of this incident fully demonstrates the efficiency of interdepartmental collaboration within the Government. The EPD will continue to combine smart monitoring with interdepartmental collaboration, striving to protect Hong Kong's natural environment and jointly safeguard the precious wetland ecosystem."

Restoration of Pui O wetland ecology through effective interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Restoration of Pui O wetland ecology through effective interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Restoration of Pui O wetland ecology through effective interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Restoration of Pui O wetland ecology through effective interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to two months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 9) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 50-year-old male passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point on March 7 and seized 4 560 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $18,700 and a duty potential of about $15,000, from under the seat pad and back of his wheelchair. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases