Good reef
By Henri Brocklebank
Director of Conservation
In 2019, Beachy Head East was designated a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ), safeguarding 195 km² of Sussex seabed renowned for its unique underwater landscapes. These include rare chalk reefs, complex sandstone systems, and remarkable biogenic reefs.
Among the most special of these are the biogenic reefs formed by the Ross Worm (Sabellaria spinulosa). Built from countless sand and shell fragment tubes created by the worms themselves, these reefs form living structures that are subsequently colonised by rich encrusting marine life, including our distinctive Sussex soft corals. These habitats are both rare and highly vulnerable, making their protection critically important.
Today marks a major milestone for Sussex marine life. A new Sussex Inshore Fisheries byelaw has been announced, excluding trawling from most of the Beachy Head East MCZ. This effectively removes the risk of damage from heavy fishing gear and represents a significant step forward for marine conservation. The byelaw has been developed through a statutory consultation process, led by the Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA), working closely with stakeholders.
This new protection builds on earlier success. Through the Sussex Nearshore Trawling Byelaw, introduced five years ago, around 300 km² of seabed was already safeguarded. After five years of reduced disturbance, we are now seeing marine recovery gathering pace. In those five years Sussex coastal communities have really taken the recovery of kelp beds and other marine ecosystems to their hearts - now we are protecting our Ross Worms and corals.
We know how unique our coastal chalk habitats are and this new protection is welcomed and needed. With this latest byelaw in place, we have nearly 500 km² of Sussex nearshore seabed protected. Congratulations to the Sussex IFCA team behind this protection and a day for celebration for Sussex Marine conservation.
Comments
It is refreshing to read some good news. Let us hope general pollution does not affect the area.
23 Apr 2026 10:34:00
This is great news, l hope there’s going to be monitoring of the sea bed and some interesting videos in the future
23 Apr 2026 10:56:00
Wonderful news!
23 Apr 2026 10:58:00
Firstly, well done to the Sussex IFCA team for all their hard work in securing this additional seabed protection and the associated improvement in Sussex Marine conservation. Looking at the newly designated zones in the Beachy Head MCZ, what stops a trawler using towed fishing gear from straying from Zone 2 into Zone 1, as there are no sign posts at sea?
Thanks & Regards
Gary.
23 Apr 2026 11:27:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
All sea users will be given up-to-date information about the new designations. This will include GPS information which allows sea users to know where their boat is in relation to designated areas at sea. Many vessels also now have tracking devices, which allows the IFCA to monitor their movements at sea. Generally speaking, if a vessel is trawling it will be travelling at a reduced speed. There is usually a few weeks 'bedding in' period when a new byelaw is introduced, giving sea users time to understand the new regulations and plug the necessary data into their on board GPS systems.
Thatt’s very good . How is this enforced with particular regard for foreign vessels
23 Apr 2026 11:48:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Checking with comms team KW
Thrilled at such positive news after a lot of very hard work. Congratulations to the team. The vital marine environment is belatedly being recognised.
Well done, Jane
23 Apr 2026 11:59:00
Great news!
Well done everyone.
Can you extend the area?
23 Apr 2026 12:29:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
The Marine Conservation Zone has been designated based on existing evidence on the habitats and species present in the area - the new byelaw is to manage fishing activity which is incompatible with these areas. It is unlikely that the MCZ or the byelaw will be extended, but not impossible. This is why it is hugely important for an up-to-date evidence set be available to decision makers, and for adaptive management to be in place.
Well done for extending the MCZ to cover Normans Bay and Bexhill area. However, I believe what what is shown as Zone 2 on the map should also have been designated as Zone 1.
Also, it is time that Zone 1 should be extended eastwards beyond Hastings.
The effects of the MCZ on the local marine wildlife has been spectacular!
23 Apr 2026 12:46:00
A Big Thank you to you all for your hard work and persistence.
23 Apr 2026 14:56:00
Great news for a change , thank you to all who helped this to happen .
23 Apr 2026 15:28:00
Marvellous news!! Thank you for all the hard work that has been done to achieve this!! We can make a difference !!
23 Apr 2026 16:01:00
I am new to this website.But I am really pleased to hear the news today about this area being safeguarded for the future.Keep up the great work.Brian.
23 Apr 2026 16:03:00
That’s great news let’s hope we can see this all over the British coastline!
23 Apr 2026 16:05:00
This is really good news and a fantastic achievement, and a welcome sign that not all people in positions of power and authority are against nature. It is very encouraging that there is now a level of protection applied to this marine protected area. Well done to all those who helped make this happen.
23 Apr 2026 16:11:00
Well done to everyone who helped make this happen
23 Apr 2026 16:15:00
This is a really good move but I don’t understand why there’s a portion of the Conservation Zones which isn’t protected from trawling – that’s like letting some parts of a national park to be concreted over
23 Apr 2026 16:19:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
The byelaw was set out by Sussex IFCA, who's statutory duty it is to manage fishing activities within Marine Protected Areas. This does not simply mean blanket banning all damaging activities, but assessing the activities taking place and the locations of the habitats and species specifically protected by the protected area (Marine Conservation Zones are designated on a features-based approach). In this case, the Sussex IFCA determined that there were no habitats sensitive to bottom towed fishing gear in the eastern part of the MCZ, and as such it was acceptable for trawling to continue in this area. Sussex Wildlife Trust pushed for protection across the entire area on the basis of the possibility of sensitive habitats being able to re-establish in this area, as well as the associated impacts from trawling, however the management of this area is not our decision.
This is great news indeed. Well done to everyone involved. Having attended the workshops at Sovereign Harbour a few years ago, I am pleased to see the result on the eastern boundary.
23 Apr 2026 16:53:00
Really good but surprised that any part of a marine conservation area would allow highly destructive bottom trawling
23 Apr 2026 18:01:00
Great news! I hope this is going to be strongly monitored to ensure this is adhered to. Congratulations for a great result for all the hard work.
23 Apr 2026 18:39:00
Very good news. Congratulations and thank you for securing the seabed for nature.xx
23 Apr 2026 19:08:00
The ban on trawling around Beachy Head is fantastic news! Well done & a huge thank you to all involved.
24 Apr 2026 07:48:00
Congratulations to all concerned – keep up the good work!
24 Apr 2026 07:48:00
Brilliant news, thank you.
24 Apr 2026 08:02:00
Agreed
24 Apr 2026 09:35:00
Congratulations to all concerned – keep up the good work!
24 Apr 2026 14:26:00
What brilliant news!! It’s successes like this that make me feel that my membership really does make a difference. Well done! :)
24 Apr 2026 20:21:00
This is very good news and well done for all your hard work and keeping us informed.
26 Apr 2026 07:12:00
Great work . Thanks for your support.
Alison Dench.
27 Apr 2026 10:15:00
Great news
03 May 2026 06:16:00
Very good news. Lets hope there will be equal success elsewhere in the country where needed. Well done.
17 May 2026 16:46:00