The department wants to carry out repair work to the north pier at St Aubin’s harbour after it was discovered that the inner wall had technically failed.
However, this summer conservationists found that two rare and critically endangered species of mollusc had set up home deep inside the wall.
The shellfish – Truncatella subcylindrica and Paludinella littorina – are members of one of the rarest species of mollusc in Europe. The Truncatella is found in just seven sites in Britain, all of which are designated conservation areas, and the Paludinella is found in 30 sites.
Nicolas Jouault, chairman of the marine biology section of the Société Jersiaise, said: ‘I am not against the wall being repaired, but it seems like this is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. I believe that the wall can be repaired without carrying out the extensive work which Jersey Harbours are planning.’
