Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ5: Sea burial

Following is a question by the Hon Wong Yung-kan and a reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (May 2):

Question:

In recent years, some members of the public choose to handle the cremated ashes of their deceased relatives by scattering the ashes at sea (sea burial), and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has also designated a number of sea burial locations for members of the public to scatter ashes legally. However, as some of the designated locations are close to the Tung Lung Chau marine fish culture zone, the fishing community is concerned that the ashes and offerings may spread to their marine fish culture zones and fishing grounds, thereby polluting the marine produce and affecting the health of the public. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether the Government will conduct detailed research and assessment to find out if there are residual germs or other pollutants in the ashes scattered at sea, and assess the health risk members of the public are exposed to in consuming marine produce contaminated by ashes, so as to address public concern;

(b) whether the Government will conduct a study to remove the waters east of Tung Lung Chau from the list of designated sea burial zones and identify other waters (e.g. the waters east of the Ninepin Group) far away from fisheries activity zones for conducting sea burials; and

(c) given that the Government does not comprehensively monitor the sea burial services provided by private operators at present, and only relies on the self-discipline of the industry, whether the Government will consider introducing measures to prevent such operators from scattering ashes at waters outside the designated zones, and dumping the offerings or ash containers at sea which will pollute the waters?

Reply:

Acting Madam President,

The Government encourages the scattering of cremated ashes of the deceased at sea or in Gardens of Remembrance, as this helps promote the disposal of cremated ashes of the deceased in a more sustainable way and is in line with some people's choice for returning cremated human ashes to the embrace of nature. In 2011, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) processed about 660 applications for scattering of cremated ashes of the deceased at sea, representing 1.7% of all cremation cases in the year. The scattering of ashes which have been cremated at high temperature at sea does not pose any threat to public health. Besides Hong Kong and the Mainland, scattering of cremated ashes at sea has been practised in other parts of the world like Korea and Taiwan. This approach is environmental friendly and can facilitate sustainable development under limited resources. Furthermore, it offers an additional choice to the public.

Since January 2010, to further encourage the scattering of cremated human ashes at sea, FHED has been providing free ferry services. In mid-January 2012, FEHD has enhanced its services by employing a bigger vessel to offer a more stable and comfortable sea voyage. A funeral director will also be on board to assist family members in the memorial ceremonies.

Our reply to the three parts of the question raised by the Honourable Member is as follows:

(a) With the cremation at high temperature of 850 degree Celsius, the main contents left in the human ashes are inorganic phosphorus and calcium which do not carry any pathogens. They are therefore innocuous to the health of human and marine products. Hence, even marine products have been in contact with the ashes, consuming them will not pose any harmful effect to human and there should not be any public health concerns.

(b) Currently, there are three designated areas for scattering of cremated human ashes at sea, namely east of Tap Mun, east of Tung Lung Chau and south of West Lamma Channel. The above areas were selected in consultation with relevant Government departments, including Marine Department, Environmental Protection Department, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Leisure and Cultural Services Department, etc. In selection of the above areas, the Administration has considered and assessed various factors in detail with an aim to minimising the impact on the surrounding environment (including fish culture zones). We have also consulted relevant District Councils. FEHD, being the implementation agent, has been closely monitoring the operation of the scattering of cremated ashes at sea and will review the situation if necessary. Since end-January 2011, due to the rough sea condition during winter times, FEHD will only visit the east of Tung Lung Chau for scattering of cremated ashes during summer times (i.e. April to September). FEHD will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate actions. Relevant departments have not observed any significant impact on the surrounding environment after the implementation of scattering cremated ashes at sea.

(c) At present, apart from taking FEHD's free ferry services, the public can arrange their own vessels for scattering of cremated human ashes at sea with prior approval from FEHD. FEHD has imposed stringent requirements on the scattering of cremated human ashes at sea and after consulting relevant departments, FEHD has stipulated a set of conditions for approval which cover the specified time and location, as well as other requirements to be observed. The conditions clearly require that scattering of cremated human ashes shall only take place within the approved area and only the cremated ashes of the deceased and a handful of natural flower petals can be thrown into the sea. No food, ritual offerings or any other object shall be thrown into the sea. Furthermore, in case other fishing vessels, etc. are present within the approved area, the scattering of cremated ashes should be conducted away from the vessels, or in case dolphins are present within the approved area, the scattering of cremated ashes should be conducted after all dolphins have left. After granting an approval, FEHD will inform relevant Government departments, including Marine Department, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Leisure and Cultural Services Department, etc., so that they can carry out appropriate monitoring and enforcement actions in accordance with their mandates and having regard to the circumstances.


Ends/Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:56

NNNN