The Solent State of Nature report presents an overview of the current status of coastal and marine wildlife in the region, including consideration of trends and pressures that are currently affecting these features. Most of the Solent’s habitats and species are struggling, with many having suffered dramatic declines. While more work is undoubtedly needed to help the Solent’s nature, a lot of important effort has already been put in to help it recover. The report has been compiled on behalf of the Solent Seascape Project. This project aims to be the first of its kind in the UK to initiate recovery of the marine and coastal environment at a seascape scale. The long-term vision for the project is to protect and restore the Solent’s seascape, tipping the balance from a degraded state to a naturally expanding, connected and productive ecosystem.
Coastal Comeback: Overcoming Policy Challenges to Marine Restoration at Scale
Restoration policy is limiting marine restoration. This report, shows how these constraints affect delivery, and presents sector wide evidence that the current system does not operate proportionately for restoration projects. It then outlines a structured and legally grounded programme of reforms aimed at supporting ecological recovery, improving consistency and efficiency, and enabling restoration.
03 July 2026