Conservationist Jamie Hooper at Bordeaux. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0553534)

THE risk to habitats should help determine the priority of sea-defence repairs after the recent storms, says conservationist Jamie Hooper.

La Societe Guernesiaise’s conservation officer is concerned that if protecting businesses and homes is the only factor, erosion will lead to some of the island’s most important habitats being squeezed even further.

‘When evaluating the priorities the value of the environment and habitats needs to be included in any decisions. We have been looking at it in terms of risk to residential and commercial property but there is a real risk being faced by the natural environment. One thing that does stand out is that the soft defences came through and will recover with next to no expense. We are talking a lot of money that needs to be spent on the hard defences,’ he said.