New Shoreham Port Reef to Track Marine Recovery and Boost Coastal Wildlife

A pioneering marine restoration project has been launched at Shoreham Port, where researchers from the University of Brighton will monitor how a newly installed artificial reef helps revive marine life along a previously barren stretch of coastline. The structure, known as Southwick Reef, has been installed along a harbour wall and is designed to transform […]

A pioneering marine restoration project has been launched at Shoreham Port, where researchers from the University of Brighton will monitor how a newly installed artificial reef helps revive marine life along a previously barren stretch of coastline.

The structure, known as Southwick Reef, has been installed along a harbour wall and is designed to transform an area dominated by concrete into a thriving habitat for coastal species. The project brings together environmental science, innovative design and community engagement in an effort to reverse decades of marine habitat loss.

Artificial reef units, including large concrete blocks, textured seawall tiles and shallow rock pools known as vertipools, have been carefully positioned to create shelter and feeding areas for marine organisms. These features mimic natural rocky shore environments, offering surfaces for algae, shellfish and other invertebrates to attach and grow.

University of Brighton PhD researcher Isaac Doyle will lead a multi-year study tracking how marine species colonise the reef. His research will compare ecological surveys carried out before installation with ongoing monitoring to measure changes in biodiversity and species abundance over time.

The research will also explore how people interact with restored coastal spaces. The reef is accessible at low tide, allowing members of the public, students and local schools to observe marine life up close and learn about the importance of coastal ecosystems.

Marine habitats around the UK have been under increasing pressure from development, pollution and climate change, with natural shorelines often replaced by smooth sea defences that support little wildlife. Projects such as Southwick Reef aim to show how working with nature can help restore ecological value without compromising coastal infrastructure.

Shoreham Port has described the reef as a long-term investment in sustainability, demonstrating how working ports can play an active role in environmental recovery while remaining operational. The initiative also aligns with wider efforts along the Sussex coast to restore marine and freshwater habitats.

Researchers hope the findings will help shape future coastal developments, providing evidence that nature-inclusive design can significantly enhance biodiversity in urban and industrial shoreline settings.

If successful, Southwick Reef could serve as a model for similar projects across the UK, showing how ports, universities and local communities can work together to support marine life and reconnect people with the sea.