Sandwich and Pegwell Bay in Ramsgate is a Nationally Important Nature Reserve with multiple protections and home to rare wildlife including a population of grey seals often seen on the banks of the Stour. 

The Marine Licence granted by the MMO will allow for the installation of floating pontoons at Port Richborough along the River Stour. The development will result in a significant increase in boats using the site and additional pressures from other recreational activities, such as paddleboards and jet skis. Currently, around two to three boats leave the marina a week, however, it is anticipated that this development will result in that increasing to around 15 boats a day during the height of the season. 

Kent Wildlife Trust sent a lengthy response to the proposals, detailing their concerns that the plans would increase boat traffic, watersports and other disturbances and highlighted the risks the move would pose to the vulnerable birds and seals that breed in the area. 

Last year the charity also raised awareness around the dangers of seal disturbance at the site, home to Kent’s largest population of the marine mammal who are often worried by jet skiers, kite surfers and paddle boarders who get too close. Repeated seal disturbance can lead to seals injuring themselves, being left unable to feed their young and even death.  

The granting of the Marine Licence is one of several pressures currently being put on the site, which was opened as a National Nature Reserve by Sir David Attenborough in 1999, in addition to recreational disturbance, the National Grid has earmarked the site to host their Sea Link Project, a 145km electricity cable linking Kent and Suffolk. 

In December Kent Wildlife Trust launched a campaign asking the National Grid to “Rethink Sea Link” highlighting that whilst they support renewable energy, it should not be to the cost of wildlife, especially when viable alternatives exist. 

Planning and Policy Officer for Kent Wildlife Trust, Emma Waller said: “We are shocked by the decision to approve a licence for new pontoons at Port Richborough.  

“It is worrying that the cumulative impacts of recreational activities, which would see an increase from two to three boats a week to 15 boats a day, appears not to have been considered. This would include an increase in the use of jet skis, paddleboards and noise and water pollution.  

“These collective impacts are likely to adversely affect the wildlife at Sandwich and Pegwell Bay, which are already at risk of significant disturbance from National Grid’s Sea Link Project. The granting of this licence is yet another blow to local wildlife and we are dismayed by this decision.  

“My fear is that with all this disturbance, the seals are just going to move away and not return. It is not every day you see seals in the wild, we are privileged to have a place where we can take our binoculars and watch these magnificent marine mammals in their natural environment, but we are pushing them further and further away.” 

Protected Area Warden for the Area, Nina Jones added: “Whilst this decision is a blow, we will continue to work with staff at the Marina, who have expressed a strong desire to minimise the impacts to the environment. I remain hopeful that, by working together and putting wildlife at the heart of what we do, we can achieve a workable outcome for the birds, seals and other marine life that call Sandwich and Pegwell Bay home.”