How we help Sussex kelp to recover

Since 1987, more than 96 per cent of Sussex kelp had been destroyed by storms, trawling and other human pressures. Kelp forests used to stretch for 40 km along the coastline of Sussex in southern England, highly productive and biodiverse environments that provided shelter, feeding and nursery grounds for species including cuttlefish, lobster, sea-bream and bass. To reverse this decline and recover essential fish habitats, the Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority proposed a byelaw in 2019 to prohibit trawling using bottom towed gear. 

Blue Marine was part of the Help our Kelp campaign that gained support for the byelaw from Sir David Attenborough and 2,500 members of the public. A full ban on bottom trawling across 304 sq km of seabed was introduced in 2021 – a landmark decision to protect a large area outside of existing MPAs. Blue Marine with partners in the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project (SKRP) have led an extensive study to track recovery of the kelp beds and the many species and fisheries they support. Evidence of the benefits of recovery for wildlife, people and climate will support our campaign for the restriction of damaging bottom trawling to protect our most sensitive marine ecosystems within all UK MPAs.  

Blue Marine supports the SKRP research programme through annual Baited Remote Underwater Video surveys in partnership with University of Sussex to monitor marine habitats and species recovery, and working with local small-scale fishermen on crab and lobster surveys.

To identify and reduce other human pressures that could affect kelp recovery, Blue Marine has led a review of the Barriers and Optimum Conditions for Kelp Recovery and a series of workshops focused on sediment. High levels of sediment from land run-off and dredge-spoil disposal can reduce the light kelp needs to grow. Blue Marine led two workshops and commissioned a report on Sussex Sediment Sources and Pathways.   

In 2024, the Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority proposed a further trawling ban to cover 143 sq km in Beachy Head East Marine Conservation Zone. Blue Marine supported the proposal using our evidence-base from working in the Lyme Bay Reserve to promote the benefits of protection from bottom-trawling.  

Learn more about UK kelp recovery here.