Posted on May 5, 2025
Hundreds of people have urged the secretary of state to intervene to stop sediment being dumped close to a shoreline amid fears it is “smothering” marine life.
Sussex Wildlife Trust wants to see an end to Brighton Marina disposing of dredged material 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 and is currently waiting for a decision from the Marine Management Organisation on whether its dredging licence will be renewed.
The company has held the licence for ten years and the renewal ahead of its expiration this month would allow it to have a further ten.
The original licence was granted before the area was made a conservation zone.
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.
A spokesman for the marina said dredged silt is regularly sampled to confirm it is not harmful to the environment.
Sussex Wildlife Trust is calling on the Secretary of State for the Environment, Steve Reed, to “step in on behalf of the marine protected area”.
So far, 1,300 people have added their voices to the call.
“More than a thousand people have shown that they want to see action on this issue,” said Sarah Ward, marine conservation officer at Sussex Wildlife Trust.
“More messages are being sent every day.
“We hope the secretary of state is getting an idea of how strongly many of us feel about this issue and chooses to step in and do the right thing for our marine protected area.
“This harmful activity should not be allowed to continue, and a decision should have been made by now to stop dumping on our reef and properly protect this marine protected area.”
The trust has encouraged people to write to Mr Reed.
The protest in January
In January, dozens of campaigners, including Surfers Against Sewage, turned up on Brighton beach to oppose the activity.
Chris Ward, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, has also backed the campaign.
At the time of the protest, he said: “I’ll continue to work with Surfers Against Sewage, the Sussex Wildlife Trust and local residents to do everything I can to make the case for an alternative to simply granting a renewed licence for another decade of dumping in the MCZ at Rottingdean.
“Nobody is disputing the need for continued dredging around the Marina.
“However, in my view, we need to find a more appropriate site for disposal of this sludge so that we can protect our natural environment and ensure the MCZ works as intended.”
A spokesman for Premier Marinas said: “Dredging of Brighton Marina was a recognised ongoing need when it was built in the 1970’s and remains an obligation under the terms of our lease with Brighton Marina Group and under the Brighton Marina Act 1968.
“Dredging involves the removal of natural silts which settle within the marina basin each year to maintain depth and ensure safe navigation for all vessels.
“A recognised disposal site at Rottingdean was specifically established at the time the marina was constructed for the purpose of receiving and naturally disbursing the dredged material, and it has been used for this purpose ever since, most recently under marine licence from the Marine Management Organisation.
“Under the licence dredged silt is regularly sampled to confirm it is not harmful to the environment.
“A consultation period is undertaken as part of each licence application to provide interested parties an opportunity to comment.
“Marine licences are only then granted by the MMO following a detailed assessment of the facts and their independent process confirming that works are compliant with current legislation.”
