Welcome to Sussex Underwater
We are a group of passionate local people who want to make everyone fall in love with the local sea in Sussex.
Our journey began with the inspiring tale of our co founder Eric Smith, a 76 year old local diver who was an eye witness to destructive fishing practices which destroyed the seabed. His campaign to get trawlers banned in Sussex has been showcased in the BBC documentary (Our Lives; Our Sea Forest on BBC I player) highlighting the profound impact one individuals passion and drive can have to galvanise a change for the better. Sussex Underwater was set up so the sea was never “out of sight and out of mind” again.
In collaboration with partners including the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project we embark on a journey of exploration and documentation. Together, we strive to provide evidence of the natural recovery of our Sussex sea post-trawler ban, with the ultimate goal of advocating for comprehensive inshore trawler bans along the entire UK coast.
Thank you for your unwavering support in championing our cause and ensuring that the sea is never out of sight and out of mind again.
“Just give nature a bit of space and it will come back”
Eric Smith; Our Sea Forest