Shoreham Port on England’s south coast has unveiled a groundbreaking marine conservation project at East Harbour Arm at Southwick Beach.
Set to begin in summer 2025, the initiative is spearheaded by Adur and Worthing Councils, Brighton and Hove City Council, Sussex Bay, Sussex Dolphin Project, and the University of Brighton.
“We are thrilled to have brought together such an inspiring group of local organisations to embark on this collaborative project,” said Tom Willis, chief executive at Shoreham Port.
“Southwick Reef underscores the organisations’ shared ambition to enhance the marine environment whilst fostering greater public engagement in conservation and sustainability.”
Funded by the Shoreham Harbour Regeneration Board, Southwick Reef will feature structures such as living sea wall tiles, intertidal cubes, and vertical micro pools.
These innovations are designed to withstand tidal forces while creating diverse habitats, enhancing ecosystem resilience. The project will promote the growth of seaweeds and algae, providing essential shelter and food for invertebrates, which will support larger marine species.
Publicly accessible at low tide, Southwick Reef will also serve as an educational site, featuring an interpretation board and offering hands-on learning opportunities for local schools about marine biodiversity and coastal science.
A baseline biodiversity survey will be conducted to guide design and track the project’s progress, forming part of a University of Brighton PhD project. The outcomes will be shared with other ports and harbours globally, contributing to similar conservation initiatives.
