We are launching an appeal to raise £5,000 to stop the dredging off the North Cornish coast. If we don't raise the money then the future of one of the UK’s most spectacular stretches of coastline is uncertain. We want to ensure that community interests are put first rather than corporate profits, to safeguard these unique & special places.

Marine Minerals Limited are applying for a license to process tens of millions of tonnes of sediment from the sea bed as little as 200 meters offshore at some of North Cornwall’s most popular beaches and surf breaks, including; St Ives Bay, Porthtowan, St Agnes & Perranporth. This will have unknown and potentially devastating effects on this stretch of coastline.

Removing and replacing several millions of tonnes of seabed material has the potential to disrupt the natural build-up of sediment.  This sediment plays a vital role in encouraging waves to break offshore, dissipating the majority of the wave’s energy before the waves reach the shore, protecting this fragile and sensitive coastline.

Health threats

Worryingly, the dredging could also reanimate sewage-related pathogens, reducing water quality and threatening the health of beach and water users. Sewage-related pathogens can cause ear, nose, throat and eye infections, and gastro-intestinal complaints such as diarrhoea and vomiting. Much more serious illnesses can also be contracted, including hepatitis A which can survive for up to 90 days in seawater.

Threats to surfing & beach access

The proposed dredging activity would take place very close to the shoreline, just 200m from the low water mark and would bring with it an immediate and significant exclusion zone.  This could seriously limit your access to the beach and the water, for surfing, swimming and simply enjoying this unique place with family and friends.

Disrupting the sediment could also impact on sand levels in the intertidal zones and above the high tide line at the beach.  This could significantly reduce the quality of surfing waves and impair the beach experience for local residents and tourists. 

Please donate today

We need to ensure we have the campaign funds in place to act quickly and respond effectively to the Environmental Impact Assessment undertaken by Marine Minerals Limited. This could happen within a matter of months.

We are appealing to you to make a donation to help fund this vital campaign:

·         £2 could help us to write to local councilors & politicians to voice our concerns

·         £10 could contribute to essential media work to expose the threat posed by Marine Minerals Limited

·         £36 could help us reach thousands of concerned supporters with information about the dredging threat

·         £150 could allow SAS campaigners & scientists to spend a full day reviewing Marine Mineral Limited’s proposals