The news was revealed at a meeting on Monday (October 10).
“A further grant of £50,000 from the Coastal Revival Fund is being used to develop plans for the East Quay development and it is vital that improvements to the marina get back on track,” said WBOA secretary Ray Ventura.
“The two projects should go hand-in-hand to provide an important local facility at a very high standard for both visitors and the general community.
“Dealing with the harbour mud is a vital key to making Watchet a really important marine and tourist destination. You can’t expect to attract serious East Quay interest and investment if the marina remains a sea of mud.
“A fully operational mud-free marina is essential for the success of the town’s long-term plans.”
He said that, to this end, a WBOA working group will investigate whether the existing dredging operations are capable of providing a long-term solution to the mud problem.
“If not, other methods need to be investigated. We have already consulted experts on the subject and are looking into new techniques and ways of financing them.”
Mr Ventura said that the WBOA was also urging the county council to prioritise the setting up of a statutory harbour board for both Minehead and Watchet harbours, which are both likely to be used by vessels involved with the Hinkley C development.
“At the moment both harbours are looked after so poorly that the risk and liability to the council would be very great if something went wrong.”