Image description: Brighton West Pier, Sussex, at sunset. The pavilion was destroyed in an arson attack in 2003. The beach is in the foreground with the black silhouette of the destroyed West Pier at the centre. Image by Harry Shelton / Pexels.

Work has begun to restore 100 miles (160km) of coastline after the Sussex Bay project received funding worth more than £1m.

Sussex Bay was created to catalyse the natural recovery of Sussex’s seascape. Hosted by Adur and Worthing Councils, it is an independent project which is not tax-payer funded.

Launched in June 2024 following seed funding from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and the scheme will see the marine environment and rivers from Chichester to Camber Sands undergo a programme to accelerate their recovery from pollution and overuse.

The £1.2 million was pledged to Sussex Bay’s ‘Blue Natural Capital Lab’, the first in the UK, which aims to eliminate barriers for marine restoration projects looking for funding from ethical sources. Sources of funding, secured via competitive bids, include: the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Rewilding Britain, Novo Foundation, Marine Management Organisation, Sea Changers, Natural England, Innovate UK and Championing Coastal Communities. This work is all part of Sussex Bay’s ‘blueprint’ for seascape recovery, which is part of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

The money is being used to support projects including: the Sussex Dolphin Project, the Worthing-based Fishing Net Reuse and Recycling scheme, the Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme, marine research at the University of Sussex and the revamp of the Windsor Lawns rotunda so that local small-boat fishers can sell their fish on Worthing seafront along with a range of research projects, including an ocean literacy survey with Natural England.