Question

CEF 23 2025 – Provision of Sand at One Boat Golf Club

You asked: I am writing to ask if AIG/Conservation could please take the time to consider the possibility of the One Boat Golf club having a truck load of sand from one of the beaches around the island to address the current state of their putting greens. It doesn’t have to be the cleanest or best sand. The club is run by its members and very rarely asks for any help from AIG. If the putting greens continue to deteriorate they may become unplayable and therefore the club could potentially loose members which would have a big impact on the running of the club, as they depend on members subscriptions as their income to run the club efficiently. They do understand that this can’t be achieved during the turtle nesting season by they would really appreciate some consideration on this request.

AIG Responded: Research and monitoring over multiple decades has shown the beaches of Ascension to be vulnerable to natural events, sea level rise and erosion and have therefore been protected by several layers of legislation including the Harbours (Ascension) Ordinance 2005 (S19(1)) and the National Protected Areas Ordinance, 2003 (S(1B). The MPA Management Plan, gazetted in 2021 also states: No mineral extraction will be permitted within the MPA: This includes deep-sea mining activity, extraction of rocks and minerals from inshore waters, and the removal of sand from beaches. The only exception will be the periodic dredging required to maintain access to Ascension’s one pier.

Exemptions to these protections can only be granted by the Administrator and only for the purpose of scientific research permits or exceptional circumstances.

In 2004, Dr Gillian Cambers produced an Environmental Impact Assessment into Beach Sand Extraction in Ascension at the request of the Council at the time. The report highlights that more than three quarters of Ascension’s beaches were showing signs of erosion 20 years ago and recommended not lifting the ban on beach sand mining. This report can be provided upon request.

The report highlighted a potential inland source of sand near Street Crater and Butt Crater just outside of the Broken Tooth firing range that you may wish to consider as an alternative, although EIA would still be required.

Councillor Bennett

Submitted: 5 December 2025

Response: 10 December 2025