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Mud Trial Aims to Protect Lymington Harbour From Erosion
The trial used 800 cubic metres of dredged mud to rebuild saltmarsh habitat protecting Lymington Harbour's economy and marine life from rising sea levels.
- Lymington Harbour Commissioners and Land & Water Group are trialling the use of dredged mud from Lymington Harbour, Hampshire, to restore saltmarsh by placing sediment at target heights, backed by The Crown Estate and Environment Agency.
- The harbour has seen saltmarsh decline since around 1920, with erosion of two to three metres a year driven by climate change threatening its ferry link, 1,600 moorings and about 20,000 visiting yachts worth tens of millions annually.
- In the 2024 trial they placed around 800 cubic metres of mud using a giant scoopy sled on a 28 tonne excavator, with pioneer species naturally recolonising after sediment reached target height.
- Project leads say successful restoration could be replicated nationwide, offering to conserve saltmarsh that supports 80% of inshore marine species and reduce around 20 million tonnes of dredged sediment dumped offshore annually from UK harbours and ports.
- The team is testing technologies and seeking regulatory clearance to unlock nearshore sediment use, while Caroline Price said the Crown Estate wants scalable, lower-cost ways to reuse sediment and monitor winter survival before spring recolonisation.
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Harbour mud creates 'remarkable' new habitat in just 12 months | The latest National and International News
Saltmarsh restoration (Close Up Productions/PA) PA Media Dredged mud from Lymington Harbour in Hampshire has achieved a "remarkable" restoration of eroding saltmarsh, offering hope for protecting coastal economies and marine ecosystems across the UK. The innovative trial, led by Lymington Harbour Commissioners and Land & Water Group, has transformed discarded sediment into thriving habitat in just 12 months. The harbour's saltmarsh has been erod…
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Leaning Left2Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Center
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center
L 33%
C 67%
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