By Abbas Nazil
Campaigners in Brighton have voiced strong opposition to the disposal of what they describe as harmful sediment into a protected marine conservation zone.
Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) and the Sussex Wildlife Trust are challenging the renewal of a license allowing Brighton Marina to dump dredged sediment at a site off Rottingdean, located within the Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone.
SAS member Atlanta Cook highlighted the detrimental effects of the dredging process, describing the material as a “black, thick, slimy, petrochemically smelling sludge” that fills nearby rock pools, posing a threat to both the environment and human health.
She and other environmental advocates argue that the practice endangers marine life and disrupts delicate ecosystems.
Premier Marinas, the company that owns Brighton Marina, defends the need for dredging, claiming it is essential for maintaining the marina’s depth and safe navigation for vessels.
A spokesperson for Premier Marinas stated that the dredged silt is regularly tested to ensure it poses no harm to the environment. The company also emphasized that dredging is an ongoing requirement under the terms of its lease.
Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven MP, Chris Ward, acknowledged that dredging itself is not the issue but called for a better solution regarding the disposal of the dredged material.
He emphasized the need for a disposal site that ensures the protection of both residents and wildlife.
The Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone, identified in a 2013 government report, is home to valuable chalk habitats, rare species such as the short-snouted seahorse, and various marine communities.
The Marine Management Organisation is expected to decide soon whether to renew the dredging license for another decade.
