Locals living between Beachy Head and Hastings Pier are hopeful that the stretch of sea could become a Marine Conservation Zone. A recent announcement by the government states that the sea will go forward for consideration as a marine protected area. Aside from residents, there’s also widespread support from local commercial fisherman, businesses, divers, windsurfers and community conservation groups, all of which want their voices to be heard.
The Blue Belt
If you’ve never heard of The Blue Belt, it’s similar to the on-land Green Belt, whereby instead of areas of land, stretches of the ocean will be taken better care of instead. This should afford vital protection to marine life including seals, seahorses and vulnerable sabellaria reefs, which are dotted along the coastline in East Sussex.
The stretch of water covers the main towns of Eastbourne and Bexhill, extending as far as Hastings Pier. There are of course plenty of beaches in-between including places like Cooden, where it’s common to spot seals feeding just a stone’s throw from the edge of the shore.