Sussex Dolphin Project To 'Rewild' Shoreham Port

The organisation have a new name and a new project.

Shoreham Port and Sussex Dolphin Project, a charity project of the World Cetacean Alliance, have announced a new community restoration and rewilding project, to transform key areas of the Port.

The project aims to work with the local community on sustainability and conservation issues. It will deliver an education programme focused on the importance of coastal/marine ecosystems and open access to coastal habitats within the Port. Highlights include:

• Rejuvenation of wild banks and green spaces within Shoreham Port to increase biodiversity, working with local community groups and conservation organisations.
• A Marine rewilding programme with relevant species and habitats. 
• Expert and public forums to discuss, improve and showcase the project.

Nicky Brown, People, Communications and Sustainability Director at Shoreham Port commented:

“We are delighted to be working closely with Sussex Dolphin Project, who share our vision for a more sustainable future. We have some exciting projects across our estate which we will launch with our partners later this year. We will work with all our stakeholders on our nature-based solutions to lead the Port to a sustainable future."

Thea Taylor, Sussex Dolphin Project Lead, commented:

“The restoration and rewilding projects with Shoreham Port give us an invaluable opportunity to provide education, research and ecotourism opportunities for members of the local community whilst also raising awareness of our work. The Shoreham Port team have been extremely welcoming, open and forward-thinking in their approach to this project. We thank them for their ongoing support and look forward to sharing this project with the wider community.”

The project has been developed as a result of the partnership between Shoreham Port and Sussex Dolphin Project, which was announced in the summer of 2020 and saw the charity project move to new offices at the Port.

Sussex Dolphin Project has also officially changed its name from Brighton Dolphin Project to better reflect the organisation’s focus on marine mammals and ecosystems across Sussex.

The new community restoration and rewilding project will be central to Sussex Dolphin Project’s aims to inspire the local community to reconnect with the coast and protect the oceans by building awareness, delivering education initiatives and driving research projects.

Since the Port’s inception over 260 years ago, Shoreham Port has been operating as a Trust Port. Their purpose to this day remains to shape and maintain the Port for the benefit of all stakeholders, including their local community. Shoreham Port is one of only 14 accredited EcoPorts and one of only two PERS certified EcoPorts in the UK and is an active partner of the Brighton & Lewes Downs Biosphere, also known as The Living Coast.