Sussex Underwater Talks
Connecting with and inspiring the local community is at the heart of our mission at Sussex Underwater. We are firm believers that if people are educated about their local wildlife, then they will want to protect it – after all, how can we expect people to care for something they have never seen? The team has been busy offering this window beneath the waves with lots of recent talks across Sussex, leaving audiences inspired and uplifted by the story of recovery in our waters.
With some fantastic footage coming in from our team’s dives, we have been eager to share glimpses of this vibrant underwater world that is right on our doorstep! Paul has captured mind-blowing footage of cuttlefish, catsharks and stingrays roaming Bognor Reef, an area once decimated by trawlers that is now a haven of sea life once again. In the East, the team have been recording the re-growth of dense mussel beds, a crucial part of the habitat which bind the seabed together and form strong foundations for life to grow upon. Our Sussex Underwater talks are a wonderful opportunity to showcase this unique local wildlife, and they often lead to disbelief from the audience that our footage is really filmed in Sussex!
Summer (if you can call it that!) rolled in with a variety of talks and workshops to all kinds of crowds. Catrine and Eric have been engaging young people at schools such as Hove Prep and Steyning Primary, introducing them to the world of ocean protection. Paul entertained the younger learners in Bognor Regis, getting 100 children up showing their best crab, shark and cuttlefish impressions (and doing a little dance himself!). The delivery may be slightly different depending on the age of the crowd, but our message remains the same – give sea creatures a voice!
Catrine wrapped up May with a well-received talk at the REclaim festival in Shoreham – a wonderful weekend event celebrating sustainability. June kicked off with a talk at Brighton SeaLife Centre as part of their World Ocean Week programme – Catrine, Eric and Ruby delivered the Sussex Underwater story alongside fascinating talks from other local conservationists such as the Sussex Dolphin Project.
Perhaps the most anticipated talk of the season yet, the SU team were at the Brighton Dome on the 13th of June for the launch of the Sussex Bay project. This is a groundbreaking incentive to recover 100 miles of Sussex coast from Selsey in the west to Camber Sands in the east, creating a ‘blue mirror’ to the Downs that allows nature, communities and economy to thrive. Hundreds of local change-makers, scientists, conservationists, divers and ocean lovers gathered at the Corn Exchange venue for a galvanising discussion about the hopeful future of Sussex Bay. Hope and emotions ran high, and the room was buzzing with excitement. It was a privilege to be a part of launching this project! Eric and Catrine were received like rockstars, with almost everyone at the event knowing and loving the story of Sussex Underwater. Find out more about the Sussex Bay project here: https://www.sussexbay.org.uk
The Sussex Underwater documentary, ‘Our Lives – Our Sea Forest’, continues to be well-received, most recently being shared with the public at an evening screening in Selsey, in partnership with the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project. The audience had their burning questions answered on a panel afterwards. Watch the ‘Our Lives – Our Sea Forest’ documentary on BBC IPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001q97d
Freya and Dominic from the SU east team just delivered a talk in a particularly unique and intimate venue within the medieval undercroft of the Crypt Gallery, Seaford! Nestled amongst the beautiful ‘She and the Sea’ art installation by Laura Callaghan, this was a visually stunning evening and something a bit different for the team, which made it a night to remember.
Would you like Sussex Underwater to give a talk to your organisation, school or event? Interested in coming along to watch the recovery? Contact Us
