‘Designing with nature, rather than against it’: Hopes for marine-life revival with man-made harbour wall

A man-made harbour wall could create a thriving marine ecosystem in Sussex, creating new homes for diverse species while boosting biodiversity.

It comes as global populations of marine species declined by almost half between 1970 and 2012, and coral reefs – which support a quarter of all marine life – are projected to face widespread collapse by 2050.

The Southwick Reef project is led by Shoreham Port, with research from the University of Brighton, and the landmark project will explore how the reef benefits both marine life and local communities.

Large reef cubes, designed to withstand tidal forces, have been installed along the shoreline, alongside living seawall tiles – textured panels that encourage marine organisms to attach and grow – and vertipools, mini rock pools built into vertical walls.

University of Brighton PhD researcher Isaac Doyle will monitor how marine species colonise the reef and test the potential for similar structures along the wider Sussex Bay coastline. His research aims to help the reef continue providing educational, recreational, and community value locally, while also offering a potential model for how other ports and harbours might combine biodiversity restoration with public engagement.

Isaac said: “Living seawalls and artificial reefs represent a new way of designing with nature, rather than against it. My research focuses on understanding how these structures evolve over time, how different species colonise them, and how we can design them to maximise biodiversity.

“Beyond ecology, I’m also exploring how these interventions can provide educational and recreational opportunities, connecting local communities with their coastal environment and showing that science and design can work together to create lasting environmental benefits.”

Tom Willis, Chief Executive at Shoreham Port, added: “We are thrilled to have brought together such an inspiring group of local organisations to deliver this collaborative project. Southwick Reef underscores our shared ambition to enhance the marine environment whilst fostering greater community engagement in conservation and sustainability. We hope that Southwick Reef provides a further reason for people to visit the area, an attraction for parents and children to explore and a place to get students engaged in marine conservation.”

The project is led by Shoreham Port in collaboration with the University of Brighton, Adur and Worthing Councils, Brighton & Hove City Council, Sussex Bay and the Sussex Dolphin Project. It brings together engineers, ecologists, academics and others, with the shared goal of transforming the local marine environment, while creating a model that can be replicated at other ports and harbours in the UK and beyond.

📆EVENT: Don't miss the Sussex Sustainability Showcase at AudioActive, Worthing, next Tuesday (February 10) - learn about the Worthing Heat Network and speak with organisations working across clean energy, community action and sustainable business in Sussex - see this post by Sussex Energy for more.

📰NEWS: More than 60 tonnes of waste saved from landfill - thanks to funding for workshops, repair cafés, composting schemes, school uniform swaps, refill initiatives and more. Read more on The Argus.

📹VIDEO: If you want to know more about the solar project by Energise South Downs (which we covered in the last newsletter), where a removals firm used its roofspace to provide solar to a neighbouring park homes site, you can watch a video about the project here.

If you know of a project, event or story that you think should be covered by The Sussex Green Edit, email hello@bexbastable.co.uk with the details.