Sussex Seabed Restoration Project's ambition is to work at the heart of local community. We achieve this through creating and developing awareness of the consequences of historical and ongoing destruction of the Sussex seabed, highlighting the environmental impact it had and how communities can now play a crucial role in the protection and re-wilding of our sea. The Sussex Seabed Restoration Project is Community Interest Company that wants to deliver on a long-term Kelp restoration project that will create awareness across Sussex, and restore the coastal environment to it's former natural beauty.
Sussex inshore waters once had a vast cover of Kelp beds, rich in biodiversity with many different species of seaweed. This was degraded over time by destructive fishing practices such as trawling, which left the coast scarred and barren. Two hundred square km of Sussex inshore waters are now free from bottom trawling, due to a policy ban which came into force in March 2021. The Kelp restoration project's main goal to restore kelp and the seabed habitat in Sussex inshore waters, now that we are free of the destruction of trawling.
Sussex waters currently don't have an active seabed restoration project to help restore the forgotten 97% of destroyed seabed off our coast. In supporting this exciting project, your money will go towards a local Kelp restoration hub - allowing us to actively help restore and rewild the Sussex seabed. This would be directly undertaken by the local community of freedivers, fishermen, swimmers and everyone who would like to help out. Our method of restoration is inclusive to everyone, and does not require a diving qualification or a scientific background. This is truely a community driven restoration effort.
Giving back to the sea, engaging with the community to promote understanding of the importance of the work and the environmental impact this can have alongside working closely with other established sea community groups and organisations is our passion. We hope to share our love of the Sussex Sea with as many people as possible, and restore it for future generations to enjoy.
All the funds raised will go towards the Kelp