Sussex Underwater

Sussex Underwater is a UK-based nonprofit charity dedicated to marine conservation and public engagement in the coastal region of Sussex. Registered under charity number 1210904, the organization was formed by a community group of divers and sea users passionate about the protection and recovery of local marine habitats.

Mission and Activities

The core mission of Sussex Underwater is to document and promote awareness of the natural recovery occurring in Sussex Bay following the 2021 ban on inshore trawling. Through underwater and beach filming, the charity provides visual evidence of the restoration of marine ecosystems, aiming to give a voice to sea creatures and foster a connection between the public and the underwater environment.

Sussex Underwater actively encourages people, both divers and non-divers, to share sightings and stories about marine wildlife to cultivate appreciation and care for the seaside. Their commitment extends to educational outreach, particularly working with schools and young people to inspire the next generation of marine stewards.

Community Engagement

The organization maintains a highly engaged Facebook community with over 17,000 members, serving as a platform for sharing encounters with marine life and updates on the health of Sussex's coastal waters. This strong social media presence helps broaden the impact of their conservation message, connecting diverse groups including fishermen, paddleboarders, and sea enthusiasts.

Conservation Impact

A key focus of Sussex Underwater is supporting broader marine recovery efforts such as the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project, which monitors the resurgence of kelp forests over approximately 300 km² of protected seabed. These kelp forests are vital biodiversity hotspots and serve as indicators of ecosystem health. The implementation of the inshore trawling ban has been pivotal for this marine rewilding initiative, heralded as one of the largest in the UK.

The Sussex Kelp Recovery Project, supported by Sussex Underwater and a coalition of organizations, has reported significant positive changes in marine life diversity and habitat structure, including the return of species unseen in decades. Sussex Underwater’s visual storytelling plays an important role in communicating these successes and the broader importance of marine conservation locally.

Vision

Sussex Underwater envisions a future where the coastal seas of Sussex thrive once more, safeguarded by an informed and connected community. Through its ongoing work, the charity aspires to ensure the underwater world is never "out of sight and out of mind" and to inspire collective action that promotes a healthy ocean and sustainable marine environment for generations to come.

This article is based on publicly available information about Sussex Underwater and its activities focusing on marine conservation and community engagement in Sussex Bay.

[1] https://www.sussexbay.org.uk/sussexunderwater [2] https://sussexunderwater.uk [3] https://sussexunderwater.uk/our-story/ [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5248775/contact-information [5] https://sussexkelp.org.uk/news/a-story-of-hope-recovery-of-sussex-underwater-forests