GETTING INTO HOT WATER

The Severn estuary is an important habitat for all sorts of creatures, fishes in particular, salmon and eel specifically.

 

Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant, which is currently under construction will suck huge amounts of water from the estuary and Bristol Channel into it's cooling systems taking hundreds of thousands of fish with it and killing them in the process.

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The first solution to this problem proposed by EDF, the plant developers was to install 300 underwater sound projectors which would have 'boomed noise louder than a jumbo jet' into the sea to deter fish from entering the intake pipe. However, this idea was abandoned out of concern for the divers who would have to install and maintain the system in the dangerous, fast-flowing waters and the impact the noise would have on porpoises, seals and whales.

 

Accepting the loss of tonnes and tonnes of fishes, EDF's proposed 'compensation' is to create a new salt marsh along the nearby River Parrett on wildlife-rich grassland managed by local landowners. This has not gone down well either!  

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So it seems the fish will just have to be sacrificed in the name of progress...

 

We were appalled and distressed by this so embarked on a 'very dangerous field trip' to Hinkley Point with our friend and poet 'Roving Rick'. We call to the fishes through our Sonic Lighthouse apparel, both warning them of the impending danger and yearning for those who are yet to be lost .