£1.2 million pledged to help save dolphins in seascape restoration project
The £1.2 million was pledged to Sussex Bay's Blue Natural Capital Lab - a project which raises funds for organisations across the county from ethical sources.
As part of the new Sussex Bay initiative, the money will go towards local projects like the Sussex Dolphin Project, the Fishing Net Reuse and Recycling scheme in Worthing and the Anglers National Line Recycling Scheme.
The money will also help fund marine research at the University of Sussex and the revamp of the Windsor Lawn Rotunda, so small-boat fishers can sell their fish on the Worthing seafront.
Dean Spears, head of Sussex Bay, said: "The £1.2 million that has so far been pledged over the past year by our innovative and forward-thinking funders is already making a difference to Sussex's seascape recovery.
"We are humbled by the support received to date.
"This funding is an injection not just of cash but also of hope for our counties and communities.
"This is the first step towards a coastline abundant with life once more."
Sussex Bay is an independent project which is not taxpayer-funded.
It serves as the central project and aims to inspire nature recovery between Selsey and Camber Sands, which is inclusive of rivers, coast and up to 12 nautical miles offshore.
The project also seeks to catalyse the long-term recovery of wildlife, which has been adversely affected by trawling, overfishing and pollutants.
Mr Spears added: "Our ambition is to raise £50 million in ethical funding for marine recovery projects by 2050.
"We are still at the base camp of the mountain we need to climb, as Sussex's sea and wetlands have been seriously degraded in recent decades and face escalating risks from our changing climate.
"But this is an optimistic start."
Various sources of funding, including the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, Rewilding Britain, Novo Foundation, the Marine Management Organisation, Sea Changers, Natural England, Innovate UK and Championing Coastal Communities, were secured through competitive bids.
This collective work contributes to Sussex Bay's Blueprint for Seascape Recovery, as part of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
Thea Taylor, from the Sussex Dolphin Project, said: "Creating meaningful change in the marine environment requires meaningful collaboration.
"Sussex Bay is uniquely positioned to unite and support the many organisations along the Sussex coast in a transformative partnership that has the potential to positively impact both the local marine ecosystem and the community.
"We are grateful for Sussex Bay's support of our educational programme, which provides young people with valuable training and direct access to the marine environment, inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards."
Libby Drew, of the Weald to Waves project, said: "You can't restore nature from a classroom - but breaking into green jobs is tough.
"With support from organisations like Sussex Bay and Rewilding Britain, we are bridging the gap with hands-on learning courses, paid work placements, and the right connections to turn passion into a profession."
The Blue Natural Capital Lab is the first of its kind in the UK and will support marine recovery projects looking for funding from ethical sources.
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