“The loss of the Sussex kelp forests over the past 40 years is a tragedy. We’ve lost critical habitat that is key for nursery grounds, for water quality and for storing carbon. This marine rewilding project, if approved, will ensure the Sussex seas remain healthy for generations to come, and could have far-reaching impact for other parts of the UK coast.”
During the summer whilst on paternity leave Mark played a small part in filming both healthy and bare kelp patches in the coastal areas off his hometown of Selsey for inclusion within this film produced by Big Wave Productions, Chichester.
Kelp once stretched along 40 km of the West Sussex coastline from Selsey to Shoreham, forming an underwater forest that extended at least 4 km seaward. It provided a vital habitat, nursery and feeding ground for seahorses, cuttlefish, lobster, sea bream and bass. It locked up huge quantities of carbon, helping us to fight climate change while improving water quality and reducing coastal erosion by absorbing the power of ocean waves.
But within living memory, kelp in Sussex waters has diminished to almost nothing. Storm damage, changing fishing practices and the dumping of sediment spoils by dredging boats have taken their toll on this sensitive habitat. The wildlife associated with it has all but disappeared, and the vital ecosystem services it provided have been lost.
“ If we want healthy seas that are sustainable for wildlife and fishing for generations to come, we urgently need to give our kelp forests a chance to regenerate. The introduction of a new bylaw to restrict trawling along the Sussex coast is critical.”
Historically, Kelp was abundant along the West Sussex coastline (left image: 1980) but this important habitat has diminished over time (right image: 2019)
Proposed trawler exclusion zone
Big Wave Team L-R: Researcher Eoin Dillon, Exec Producer Sarah Cunliffe, Sir David Attenborough, Mark Sharman and James Blake
Latest news: The campaign has now achieved its first major milestone as the introduction of a critical new byelaw (which will see trawling excluded from a vast 304 km2 of Sussex coastline year-round) agreed by the Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority on 23 January 2020. The decision was made following an extensive consultation period, which saw overwhelming support demonstrated by almost 2,500 people in response to the ‘Help Our Kelp’ campaign.
Sussex IFCA’s decision brings the first ever marine kelp rewilding initiative one step closer, and aims to give the kelp the breathing space it needs to recover. Over time, repeated passes by trawling vessels have torn kelp from the sea floor and prevented natural regeneration, so the alleviation of this major pressure is the critical first step towards recovery…
Help Our Kelp’ has been formed in partnership with the following organisations:
Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority
Big Wave Productions
Blue Marine Foundation
Sussex Wildlife Trust
Marine Conservation Society
Thanks also go to Steve at Mulberry Divers who are based in Selsey, West Sussex.
