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Peter Wong

SHARK nets erected at three New Territories beaches are no guarantee of safety, a Regional Council shark prevention officer warned yesterday.

  Chairman of the Regional Council's Ad-hoc Committee on Shark Prevention, Wan Yuet-kau, said the multi-million-dollar nets were still being tested, with results to be determined later this year.

  The council bought shark nets for Silverstrand Beach and Clear Water Bay Beach at Sai Kung, and Kadoorie Beach at Tuen Mun, in May last year.

  The effectiveness of the $8.9 million shark prevention nets will be gauged after two 'shark seasons', a period which ends in October.

  Mr Wan said the council would not consider installing more shark nets until the revision was complete.

  'We believe the nets are dependable - but we cannot say for sure whether they are 100 per cent safe, because the test season has not ended yet,' he said.

  'Since no accidents have occurred in the beaches where the shark prevention nets have been installed, it could be said that the nets are effective.'   A handful of swimmers ignored shark warning flags raised on Friday, immediately after the second fatal shark attack in the Silverstrand Beach and Sheung Sz Wan area.

  Yesterday the shark warning flag was hoisted at Campers Beach, Clear Water Bay 1st Beach, Clear Water Bay 2nd Beach, Silverstrand Beach, Hap Mun Bay Beach, Kiu Tsui Beach, Pak Sha Chau Beach and Trio Beach, all in Sai Kung district.

  One swimmer, 25-year-old Mr Lee who works in a refreshment kiosk at Silverstrand Beach, said he was not afraid and continued to swim almost every day even after the attack.

  'I don't fear at all. It is hardly possible that the sharks could swim through the shark prevention net, unless there is a very big hole in the net,' Mr Lee said.

 Chan Hon-cheong, 36, said he swam at the beach each morning, but had suspended his habit since a shark fatality in 1991 until the shark prevention nets were installed.

   'I am scared and will not swim far out. I just play with my son alongside the beach. You know, there is no hope if you are bitten by sharks,' Mr Chan said.

    Meanwhile, a middle-aged man was spotted rowing a small boat in the waters off Sheung Sz Wan Beach yesterday, dragging a pig's lung through the sea as shark bait.

  He was ordered out of the area by Marine Police, but refused to speak to reporters.

  Regional Services Department deputy director (operations), Benjamin Tang Kwok-bun, said vigilance had been strengthened to prevent another attack.

  'We have been continually broadcasting the shark warning all morning, but the decision is up to citizens themselves. If they still insist on swimming, there is nothing we can do to stop them. We cannot tow them away,' Mr Tang said.

  Lifeguards and police are urging people to stay out of the sea, particularly at dawn and dusk, and posters are being displayed, warning of the possibility of attack.



Shark nets no safety guarantee