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Sussex Kelp Recovery Project
Video credit: Big Wave Productions

Rewilding the Sussex seabed

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Vast kelp beds once supported a wondrous diversity of marine life. They filtered the water, protected the coast from storms and supported local fisheries. But by the mid-1980s, 96% of Sussex kelp had disappeared. We aim to bring it back.

Why Kelp

Kelp create some of the most biodiverse marine environments on the planet.

Kelp are large brown seaweeds found along rocky shores. Like marine trees, kelp create a 'canopy' beneath which many species takes shelter and find food.

As this includes commercial fish and crustaceans, kelp supports local livelihoods as well as providing other benefits for nature, people and planet.

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Enabling Kelp Recovery

The journey to kelp recovery started with the Sussex IFCA Nearshore Trawling Byelaw

This pioneering legislation created one of the largest trawling prohibited areas in the UK in March 2021.

At the same time, the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project was formed to champion, study and facilitate the return of kelp through through progressive, coherent and collaborative action.

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Benefits

Kelp provide many benefits for nature, people and planet.

Qualifying and promoting these benefits can help marine recovery in the UK and beyond.

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  • Fish nursery

    A healthy kelp ecosystem is an ideal nursery for juvenile fish providing a safe place to grow.

  • Water filtering

    Seaweeds remove inorganic nutrients from water.

  • Wave absorption

    Abundant kelp beds can absorb the wave energy of storms which helps to protect our coastline.

  • Biodiversity enabler

    Kelp and other essential fish habitats provide food and shelter for a huge variety of fish, crustaceans, invertebrates and other marine life.

  • Carbon storage

    Kelp absorbs carbon as it grows, and by supporting other marine life, contributes to the global carbon cycle.

  • Spawning grounds

    Kelp provide spawning grounds for many commercial fish species, supporting significant commercial and recreational fisheries.

  • Tourism and recreation

    Kelp and the animals they support create superb wildlife experiences.

  • Shelter and feeding grounds

    Kelp provides shelter and feeding grounds for seals and dolphins.

  • Non toxic fertiliser

    Drift seaweed that washes up on beaches can be used as a fertiliser.

  • Multi-dimensional habitat

    One kelp can support up to 80,000 individual animals!

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Leading-edge research techniques

SKRP's research includes towed underwater cameras, Baited Remote Underwater Videos, eDNA analysis and carbon dating techniques alongside surveys of shellfish, landings data and interviews.

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The local people helping to recover kelp

Combining the efforts of divers, marine biologists, policy-makers, fishers, local sea users and citizen scientists, the SKRP is a collective journey. Read about their passion for kelp!

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Assessing different pressures

Many factors may have changed since the 1980s, from poor water quality and increased sedimentation, to changing water temperature. SKRP is assessing the impact of these pressures

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Latest News

30 Aug 2026

News from the Blue: August 2026

With summer in full swing, we've been busy sharing the importance of kelp and its recovery, near and far. From representing kelp (on behalf of the Kelp Forest Alliance) at the Climate-Resilient Cities Summit on the Road to COP31 and supporting Sussex Wildlife Trust's Marine Week, to celebrating new research into kelp spore motility and discussing rewilding on the Planet Possible Podcast, it's been an exciting few weeks. We also cheered on the incredible Surfrajets, a team of Brighton sea swimmers who completed a Channel relay swim while raising funds for the project.

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17 Aug 2026

Tiny swimmers, big role: Why zoospores matter for Sussex kelp recovery

Kelp forests are among our most valuable coastal habitats. They provide food and shelter for marine life, support fisheries and help soften the force of waves. But every kelp forest begins with something almost too small to see: a microscopic swimming cell called a zoospore...and their motility matters!

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11 Aug 2026

Claws for a Cause: Why Lobsters Are Vital for Healthy Oceans

Hidden away beneath rocky ledges and reefs, the European (or Common) lobster is one of the most remarkable creatures living in our coastal seas. Best known for its large claws and impressive longevity, this iconic species plays an important role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.

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