A few days into a public consultation on plans for a marina in Ramsey, it's emerged one of the options could jeopardise a fragile ecosystem there.

The tidal saltmarsh and estuary in Ramsey harbour are virtually the only habitats of their type left on the Island, and there are fears they could be endangered by the larger of two proposed water retention schemes.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is considering designating the rivermouth an Area of Special Scientific Interest, to protect it for the future.

DAFF's chief wildlife and conservation officer Liz Charter says her department would prefer to see a limited scheme which wouldn't have a large impact on wildlife: