New project launched to help the kelp

Volunteers learning about surveying the sea bed for kelp

A volunteer group in Hastings has launched a project to help bring back kelp forests off the Sussex coast.

Kelp - a form of seaweed - was once abundant in the area, but by the end of the 1980s, an estimated 96% had been lost.

Scientists say a ban on bottom trawling for fish, introduced in 2021, is helping natural regrowth off areas, such as Brighton and Shoreham.

However, volunteers in Hastings want to help it by growing kelp in a laboratory for planting out on the seabed.

Chris Williams, founder of the Hastings Kelp Project, said: "Thirty or 40 years ago, this whole area of coastline used to have kelp and the biodiversity was amazing. There used to be sea horses, starfish, spiny spider crabs and mussel beds all the way along.

"That's now gone due to pollution, climate change, the warming of the oceans and bottom trawling. It's so sad to see and I just wanted to do something."

Kelp can form into dense forests under the sea. It supports marine life, can act as a buffer against storms, and mitigates against climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Kelp will be grown on display at Hastings Aquarium

The kelp growing laboratory is being set up at the Hastings Aquarium, a popular tourist attraction. It plans to have some growing on display to help educate visitors about its importance.

Displays supervisor Rob Gasson said: "We do a lot of work with primary school children and it's great to provide an example of real-world conservation.

"We can talk about what we're actually doing out in the sea, but having a physical example here on site is a great way to get people involved and encourage them."

Mr Williams said he had the support of 300 volunteers from all walks of life, including divers and scientists. "It's so encouraging to see so many people caring about our environment," he added.