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Seeking to re-integrate biodiversity amongst existing sea defences, Southwick Reef is a collaborative project, designed to create habitat for and encourage marine biodiversity to colonise artificial structures- in this case, our Harbour Arm.
The installation stretches across Shoreham Harbour’s East Arm and consists of habitat panels, intertidal cubes, and small vertical pools.
These features are designed to copy the natural textures found along the shoreline, adding interest and life to otherwise simple man-made structures.The features are expected to boost the number and diversity of species in the area, enabling seaweeds and algae to flourish, providing shelter and food for small invertebrates, which in turn become food sources for larger creatures, creating a biodiverse marine environment.
Research
To understand how the project has impacted biodiversity along the Harbour Arm, before the construction started, two separate ecological studies were conducted in 2025, providing a baseline against which progress can be measured over the coming years. Working with the fantastic Shoresearch team from Sussex Wildlife Trust, we counted over 90 different species present across the rock armour, sheet piling and beach.
Assessing both the ecological and societal benefits of the project, we are delighted to have a full time PhD student working on the project, working in partnership with the University of Brighton. Monitoring what’s going on both above and below the tide, he will be utilising camera monitoring, E-DNA and traditional surveying techniques to identify biodiversity present, whilst also tracking public perceptions and the social benefit that installations like these can have in encouraging people to spend time by the sea.
Habitat panels
Mimicking a variety of textures found within natural shorelines, 7 different types of habitat panel have been installed vertically along the Harbour Arm, including a plain ‘control panel’ against which to measure and compare impact. Providing texture and refugia in which species can hide and colonise, the 3D printed tiles, supplied by Inland and Coastal, should support and provide habitat for a range of biodiversity, with different designs representing a variety of intertidal features found in nature.
Vertipools
Installed vertically along the harbour arm, Vertipools are artificial vertical rock pools. Cast from low-carbon concrete, their textured surfaces and water retaining shape mimics natural rockpool habitat. The Vertipools, supplied by Artecology, feature sculptures made by students from Eastbrook Primary Academy. Providing additional spaces for biodiversity to shelter and take hold, these structures seek to achieve the random complexity found in nature, whilst highlighting the power we all hold in our hands to make a difference!
Reef cubes®
Designed to withstand high-energy tidal environments, whilst providing complex habitats for Marine life, ARC Marine Reef cubes® offer an innovative alternative to traditional sea defences, made from low carbon cement, using 98% recycled materials. Integrated amongst the Ports existing sea defences, each 5.5 ton and 1 ton cube has 3D printed textures, recessed rock pools and 6 passages through which water can flow, providing habitat and refuge for a diverse array of intertidal species, including crustaceans and small fish.
Community engagement
Community engagement has been a key motivation throughout this project. As a Trust Port, our role is to care for and improve the Port for the benefit of future generations, acting as Trusted Custodians of both the Port and its surrounding marine and terrestrial environment.
The Reef not only supports biodiversity but also creates opportunities for people to engage with nature, spend time outdoors, learn, and explore their local environment. It will serve as an educational resource that the community can access independently and through the Port. If you represent a local school and would like to enquire about a workshop, please contact us via our form here.
Collaborating with Eastbrook Primary Academy, City Arts Portsmouth and Artecology, we took part in a unique design process with community engagement at its core. Welcoming Year 5 students to the Port for the day, the classes had an amazing day creating dozens of small, marine-inspired habitats.
Using their hands and imaginations, they crafted textured surfaces and coral like structures to become tiny new homes for marine life, providing additional spaces in which biodiversity can shelter and thrive. Highlighting the power we all hold in our hands to make a difference , whilst encouraging engagement with our natural environment and very importantly having fun, Artecology's co-create workshop was a fantastic method of adding additional complexity to Southwick Reef!
Share your findings through iNaturalist
iNaturalist is a free, trusted and popular platform for recording biodiversity data, allowing you to identify wildlife you have seen, using photo or audio. It can be accessed via a website page on the computer, or an app which can be downloaded onto your smartphone (suitable for both apple and android).
One of the platforms perks is that you don’t have to be a skilled ecologist, iNaturalist will help you identify what you see or hear. In those instances where the platform isn’t quite certain, by sharing your observation within a relevant project (like Southwick Reef), other users accessing the same project will often identify your findings for you once uploaded.
For more guidance on the platform and how to set up an account, please click here, or download the iNaturalist app from your mobile app store. Please note: iNaturalist is an external application, completely independent from Shoreham Port.
