estuary

They are also found around river mouths, estuaries and manmade structures like piers and groynes.

It is a position some say creates a conflict for a politician who represents much of the so-called Humber "energy estuary" with its growing links to the offshore wind industry.

The project is strongly opposed, however, by environmental advocates and the Delta’s political leaders, who say building the 45-mile tunnel would harm the region’s farmlands and communities, and threaten the estuary’s ecosystem and fish species.

Environmental and fishing groups, as well as leaders in Delta communities, have argued that the voluntary approach would harm the estuary’s deteriorating ecosystem and fish species that have suffered dramatic declines.

Thousands of water tests to identify potential harmful pollution in rivers, lakes and estuaries in England have been cancelled in the last three months due to staff shortages, the BBC has learned.