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!
Save Mersea Harbour Project Completed.
The project to protect Mersea Harbour from erosion was completed on 16th January 2022 when the last load of sand and gravel dredged from the approaches to Harwich Harbour was delivered and pumped onto Old Hall Point.
The Harbour has been under severe threat from the rise in sea levels and storm wave action. It is protected by islands that have been washing away for many years due, increasingly so in recent years. The Save Mersea Harbour project, led by the Mersea Harbour Protection Trust, a group of local volunteers, began back in 2014.
LATEST UPDATES
Save Mersea Harbour Project Completed
The project to protect Mersea Harbour from erosion was completed on 16th January 2022 when the last load of sand and gravel dredged from the approaches to Harwich Harbour was delivered and pumped onto Old Hall Point.
New Year Update 2022
In September we had specialist contractors Exo Environmental install the brushwood fencing to manage potential recharge material movement by storm waves to Cob Marsh and Packing Marsh.
The Save Mersea Harbour project is starting in November
Work to protect Mersea Harbour from erosion is due to start this November. The Harbour is protected by islands that have been washing away for many years due to the rise in sea levels and storm wave action, increasingly so in recent years.