Southern is backing the regeneration of one of Britain’s richest underwater ecosystems — the kelp forest along the Sussex coast — by supporting a vital scientific study.
Working in collaboration with the University of Sussex and the Blue Marine Foundation, Southern is funding the use of baited remote underwater video cameras to monitor marine life and biodiversity as the historic kelp forest begins to recover.
Some monitoring sites lie within the Sussex Nearshore Trawling Byelaw exclusion zone — established in 2021 to protect this habitat — while others are outside, providing useful comparisons.
The kelp forest between Selsey and Shoreham-by-Sea once formed a crucial component of the local marine ecosystem. Known as the ‘rainforest of the sea’, kelp forests:
- Support a wide array of marine life, including rays, eels, cuttlefish, and even sharks
- Contribute to local economies by sustaining commercial fish species such as bass and lobster
- Act as natural buffers against coastal erosion
- Help combat climate change by sequestering CO₂ and locking it in ocean sediments
The kelp habitat was decimated after a major storm in 1987, with trawling preventing its regrowth. Since the 2021 trawling ban, the forest has begun to re-establish itself, creating a haven for marine biodiversity once more.
Jason Brooker, Environment Specialist at Govia Thameslink Railway (which operates Southern), said: “We’re proud to be sponsoring vital research into the recovery of this important resource. Kelp forests are the ocean’s rainforests and one of Britain’s most biodiverse habitats. Our West Coastway trains serve the coastal communities along its entire stretch, and this project is a perfect fit for our environmental commitments.”
Xanthe Caldecott, Managing Director and Co-Founder at GreenTheUK, added: “We’re thrilled to see Southern taking such a proactive role in supporting the recovery of this vital habitat. Kelp forests play a critical role in maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem and are a key part of the fight against climate change.”
The partnership highlights the positive role businesses can play in supporting biodiversity and environmental recovery across the UK.
