Pegwell Bay: Kent seals under threat according to wildlife trust
Conservationists have raised fears for the welfare of Kent's seal population
The Marine Management Organisation have approved a licence for Pegwell Bay, between Sandwich and Ramsgate, following a decision to allow floating pontoons to be installed for boats.
The area is designated a nationally important nature reserve and home to rare wildlife, including grey seals
The application was made by Coastal Marina Ltd, a mooring and boat storage company.
Kent Wildlife Trust bosses have aired concerns saying they fear the project would scare off grey seals after it was confirmed the number of boats to the area could skyrocket from two to three a week, to 15 per day.
Sally Smith, spokesperson for Kent Wildlife Trust told GHR:
"Kents largest population of seals are in the area and they are already suffering from disturbance.
"People jet ski and paddle board in the area and 15 boats will increase that significantly.
"Now it may seem going to and from and passing seals isn’t a huge problem but it is, they are easily disturbed.
"Seals use that area to rest, digest food, feed their young so having to haul in and out the area frequently will see them using huge calories and can result in them not feeding their young and sometimes getting injured.
"Pegwell bay is a nationally important site, it was opened by sir David Attenborough in the late 90s and it has multiple protections.
"But despite that we see the area again and again subject to development and other recreational pressures".
In response, Director Carl Davis said Coastal Marina would not be carrying out construction works.
He said: "We are using the space as it was intended for. We are simply creating safer access to the water to protect users".