Lung Mei beach activists to volunteer as guards after dead wildlife found

Opponents of the Lung Mei man-made beach project have organised a 50-member "ecological guard" to monitor the site after they found remains of starfish and sea urchins littering the area, which is attracting growing numbers of visitors.

The guards, mostly volunteers, will be stationed at the site on the Tai Po coast from 11am to 6pm at weekends and will advise people to use their eyes, not their hands, to appreciate wildlife.

"This should be the duty of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department," said Peter Li Siu-man, spokesman for a coalition of 16 groups set up to oppose the project. "But since they have not taken it up, we are forced to do it ourselves."

The group acted after members found dismembered starfish lying on the muddy shore and sea urchins left drying in the sun.

Controversy over the project has attracted growing numbers of visitors to what used to be a little-known spot.

The coalition is organising a class to teach the public about more than 200 species found in the area, including the spotted seahorse, which it says is an endangered species threatened by the HK$200 million project.

Without directly responding, the AFCD appealed to the public to observe its voluntary guidelines for nature appreciation.