There are fears that “toxic sludge” being dumped close to the shoreline is smothering marine life. Sussex Wildlife Trust, residents and a councillor want to put a stop to Brighton Marina disposing of dredged sediment in the Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone between the marina and Ovingdean. Brighton Marina needs to dredge the entrance to the harbour to ensure boats can keep moving.
But those concerned about the activity’s impacts on sea life including blue mussel beds, native oysters and short-snouted seahorses, say the material should be disposed of further out to sea, it is currently disposed of about 50 metres out, and have called for people to object to Premier Marina’s application to renew its dredging licence . People are concerned about the potential harm the sediment is causing (Image: Jay Butler) The company has held the licence for ten years and the renewal ahead of its expiration in May 2025 would allow it to have a further ten. The original licence was granted before the area was made a conservation zone.
Independent councillor for Rottingdean and West Saltdean Bridget Fishleigh, who objects to the licence renewal, said she had met with the company, who had told her there was “nothing to worry about”. She said she was told that disposing of the material further out to sea would take longer and would cost more money. “We can see black debris washed up on the beach,” she said.
“There’s brown sludge in the rock pools. “The impact on sea .
