Facilitators of the South Basin infill project have said the plumes of sediment caused by the dredging of the North Channel were anticipated and are not a threat to the marine environment.

The ACBDA said that members of the public had expressed concerns about the impact of the plumes could have on marine life.

Bermuda Environmental Consulting, the environmental advisers for the ACBDA, have been on site from the start of the deposition as part of the monitoring plan.

BEC president Jack Ward said: “Just like we experience similar conditions after a period of high wind or waves, short-term spikes in turbidity are not highly threatening to marine communities.

“As long as these plumes are not allowed to persist it is unlikely that detectable harm will occur.

“Over the short term this is more of a ‘visual insult’ than a real environmental concern. This milky water is caused by very fine particulates that are slow to settle to the bottom.” He said that as a result of leakage, caused by unexpected high winds and moon tides, additional protection around the new bridge has been added and will be further reinforced as the winds ease.

“It should also be pointed out that we had previously relocated 130 coral colonies from the landfill footprint within the South Basin as well as a number of fish of various species.”

Steps taken to mitigate the environmental impact of the project include a “sophisticated” monitoring system in the waters around the South Basin.

Mike Winfield, chief executive officer for ACBDA, said: “We’ve been monitoring turbidity in the area for some time now and see higher levels of turbidity when the cruise ships arrive or depart Dockyard than those recorded today. But we are obviously committed to minimising the impact.”

Turbidity curtains have also been installed around the area where the dredged material is being deposited, including both “silt curtains” and a “bubble curtain” that allow the scows to access the area and deposit the dredged material.

“This is a situation we anticipated,” says Mr Winfield. “Now that the dredged material has started arriving we are making further refinements to the containment system and will continue to do so throughout the process, as necessary.”