It is hard not to feel sorry when a natural coastline with rich marine life is to make way for a man-made beach. What is more saddening is the way the rare sea creatures are being “rescued” to a new habitat, as shown in a recent media tour to the ecologically sensitive Lung Mei beach in Tai Po. The authorities must do a better job in conserving as many species as possible.

There has been scepticism ever since the government raised the relocation idea to help smooth opposition against the HK$200 million artificial beach project. Judging from the scenes captured by TV cameras, there are valid reasons to be concerned. About a dozen workmen were seen scouting with small fish nets in what appears to be an unskilled operation near the shore. The catch, including starfish and sea urchins, was then put into polystyrene boxes temporarily before being released 700 metres away. Some 20 creatures were found in an hour during the media tour.

Green groups have branded the media tour as a show. Even if that is so, the show was a half-hearted one. Admittedly, the government cannot be expected to carry out a Noah’s ark mission, saving each and every species found in the area. But that does mean officials can get away with something so amateurish it borders on the ridiculous.

If the efforts displayed were the best authorities could come up with, it has to be asked how serious they are when the media is not watching. The operation targeted seven marine species, including a rare type of seahorse. It remains unclear how officials can keep track of the creatures’ adaptation and survival. But it seems that there is no mechanism to halt the work even when the relocation is proved unsuccessful. It looks more like a civilised forced eviction rather than serious conservation.