Mersea Harbour is under threat from the erosion by storm wave action of Cobmarsh, Packing Marsh and Old Hall. If these natural saltmarsh wavebreaks disappear, the harbour will be exposed and eventually become unviable for moorings, oyster layings and many commercial and leisure marine activities.
There will be severe loss of habitat for vulnerable birds including the rare Little Tern as well as many animal and plant species. The harbour could disappear within the next 20-30 years. The jetty itself could be lost within 10 years!
LATEST NEWS
Mersea Harbour is in need of protection from natural wave erosion. The islands protecting the harbour have halved in size in the last 100 years. Larger waves now wash away the land faster, erosion is accelerating.
Without action, the jetty/causeway could be unsafe to use by 2030. Without action, there is a real risk that Mersea Harbour and many wildlife habitats will cease to exist within 70 years. We have permissions to place/recharge sands and gravel on key headlands to slow down erosion. Action is planned to start in Autumn 2021 and finish over the winter.
LATEST UPDATES
June 2020 Update
Under normal circumstances, we would be sending out a Notice of General Meeting. However since such gatherings are not currently permitted, the Trustees have decided to cancel the Annual General Meeting for the year to October 2019 as permitted by the Charity...
Minutes of Annual General Meeting 2019
Minutes of Annual General Meeting Tuesday 28th May 2019 7.30pm at West Mersea Yacht Club, West Mersea.
Update May 2019
Following a very positive meeting with John Brien, HHA Harbour Engineer, the Recharge is beginning to take shape. We would like to summarise where we are and where we think we are going.