The Solent, one of the UK’s busiest waterways, faces intense pressure from overuse, pollution, habitat loss, and climate change. Over 50% of its saltmarsh is gone, seagrass beds are in poor condition, and native oyster populations have declined by 95%, impacting biodiversity, carbon storage, water quality, and coastal protection. The Solent Seascape Project, led by Blue Marine and partners, aims to restore 29 hectares of key habitats and develop a long-term seascape recovery plan. Valued at £1.1 billion annually, the Solent’s ecosystems are crucial. This project will drive large-scale restoration and climate resilience through nature-based solutions.
The Four Horsemen of the UK Fisheries Policy Apocalypse
The UK has the responsibility, and the policy frameworks available, to provide meaningful and lasting protection to all its marine areas. This includes the government proceeding with and concluding its plans to remove bottom trawling from MPAs, safeguarding the biodiversity and habitats that they were designed to protect.
28 September 2025
