Critically endangered eels found at site proposed for Sea Link converter station

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Kent Wildlife Trust has confirmed the presence of critically endangered European eels (Anguilla anguilla) within Minster Marshes, a site currently under threat from National Grid's proposed Sea Link project. The charity says the discovery highlights the marshes' ecological significance and amplifies concerns regarding the potential environmental impact of the development.​

The European eel has experienced a dramatic population decline of approximately 95% since the 1980s, leading to its classification as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Factors contributing to this decline include habitat loss, barriers to migration, and overexploitation. European eels are also one of the world's most trafficked animals, with an estimated 350 million glass eels and elvers (young eel stages) illegally smuggled out of Europe every year.

Minster Marshes provide essential wetland habitat that supports the complex life cycle of the European eel. Protecting wild spaces such as Minster Marshes is essential for this critically endangered species, as these wetlands offer vital refuge, feeding grounds, and migration routes that support their survival and help prevent further population decline.

National Grid's Sea Link project involves the construction of a substantial electricity converter station on Minster Marshes, adjacent to the protected Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve. The development would result in the loss of 13.6 hectares of valuable habitat, posing significant threats to local biodiversity. Additionally, the project includes installing approximately 130km of subsea cable making landfall through Pegwell Bay, an area with multiple statutory conservation designations.​ 

Last week, National Grid submitted a Development Consent Order for the Sea Link project. The Planning Inspectorate has 28 days to review the application to decide if it meets the required standards to move forward in the process. If accepted, the application will be made public. At that point, Kent Wildlife Trust is asking the public to register as Interested Parties. This is a simple but crucial step, and Save Minster Marshes will be running workshops to guide people through the process.

The charity says it supports renewable energy, but not at the cost of wildlife, especially when other viable routes exist that are less damaging to the environment. Kent Wildlife Trust believe the other options should be considered despite them being less cost-effective.