Stop Dumping on our Reef demo!

Join local conservation organisations on Brighton beach this Saturday 11 January to demonstrate against the disposal of harmful sediments in a Marine Protected Area.

Surfers Against Sewage, supported by Sussex Wildlife Trust, are hosting a demonstration this weekend, Saturday 11th January 2025, to oppose the renewal of a licence allowing Brighton Marina to dump polluted dredged sediments in Beachy Head West Marine Conservation Zone.

With a decision on the Marina’s licence application now imminent, this weekend’s gathering will demonstrate to the Marine Management Organisation (the licensing body) the strength of public opposition to allowing this potentially harmful activity within a protected area.

Beachy Head West is a Marine Conservation Zone, the equivalent of a nature reserve at sea. It’s a nationally important wildlife hotspot home to Short-snouted Seahorses, Blue Mussel beds and a unique intertidal chalk reef. As a protected area, the aim is to safeguard and restore the sensitive marine wildlife and habitats on the reef, which is part of a network of marine protected areas around the UK – but dumping dredged sediment here will instead pollute and smother the reef and its special wildlife. There are knock-on impacts for people too: the area is a popular surf spot and the impacts of sediment disposal are known to affect water quality.

The family-friendly demonstration will begin at 1pm on the beach to the east of Brighton Marina, with short speeches by Surfers Against Sewage, Sussex Wildlife Trust and local councillors. Chris Ward, the MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven has also been invited to attend.

For further information on the demonstration, please visit the Surfers Against Sewage in Brighton, Hove & Shoreham social media pages.