A new Sussex Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) byelaw has banned bottom trawling and scalloping across 164 square kilometres of inshore waters off Beachy Head. The protected area is home to globally rare chalk reefs, blue mussel beds, and species including short-snouted seahorses and undulate rays.

The new measures add to protections introduced in 2021 for waters between Shoreham-by-Sea and Selsey, bringing the total share of Sussex’s inshore waters protected from trawling to nearly 30%. Low-impact fishing methods such as rod and line, nets and pots will continue to be permitted within the zone.

Becht Foundation supports Blue Marine Foundation, whose work has contributed to advancing marine protection along the Sussex coast and in UK inshore waters more broadly.