While marine life is inevitably affected by dredging, evidence suggests that the principal impacts are confined to the actual dredging area, are generally short-lived and represent no long-term effect on biodiversity.

After dredging is completed, the seabed is left in a similar condition to when dredging commenced, re-colonisation begins almost immediately and typically the seabed is biologically similar within two to ten years.

Sediment plumes arising from screening operations may also potentially affect life in surrounding areas. However, away from the immediate vicinity of the dredging vessel, these materials are present in such low concentrations that they have no discernable effect on communities that have often evolved to live in such conditions naturally.

BMAPA continues to contribute to ongoing studies designed to further extend understanding.

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