A new study by a University of Sussex research team, led by Prof Mika Peck and Dr Valentina Scarponi, has identified 81 different marine species along our Sussex coastlines, including tope shark, tub gurnard fish and the critically endangered European eel.
The study released today (Tuesday 30 April) shows how using a combination of two biomonitoring tools, Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUV) and environmental DNA (eDNA), can help us better understand the biodiversity of our waters and support the future of marine conservation in Sussex.
In March 2021, a Nearshore Trawling Byelaw came into effect, prohibiting trawling in over 300 square kilometres of local coastline from Shoreham-by-Sea to Selsey. Over the last three years, the University research team have been conducting an in-depth study to monitor underwater habitats along the coast and identify the species that live in our seas.
Across 28 survey sites, the team recorded 81 different marine species living in our waters along this stretch of coastline. Fish including black seabream, Atlantic mackerel and tub gurnard fish were detected as well as spotted rays, tope sharks and the critically endangered European eel. Both the tope sharks and European eels are rare to see in these waters and are of high conservation concern.
The data collected forms part of PhD candidate Alice Clark’s research into the recovery of biodiversity in Sussex Bay.
Alice explains:
“Coastal ecosystems suffer from a range of stressors including overfishing, habitat degradation, pollution and climate change, all of which can lead to population decline and a loss of diversity in species. Through this analysis, we have been able to discover so many different species in our waters, and I think people will be surprised to learn just how diverse this area of the UK coastline is.”
The research has provided a monitoring baseline of marine life diversity. Using both BRUV and eDNA monitoring will allow the team to document changes in our ecosystem, following the banning of the one the most destruction fish practises in the area, with the hope of seeing signs of recovery over time.
Prof Mika Peck, Project co-lead and PhD supervisor, says:
“There is the urgent need to address destructive fishing practices globally. The seminal trawler ban by Sussex IFCA in 2021 being a leading example. Our team at Sussex are providing the critical evidence to understand ecosystem recovery upon removing human pressures, such as trawling, using emerging technologies such as eDNA.”
BRUV imaging is an increasingly common and effective tool for monitoring underwater and allows researchers to learn more about the traits and behaviours of marine life through video footage. eDNA is a technique used to identify DNA found in the environment and can help to detect rare species. The team found that three times as many species were detected using eDNA sampling compared to video surveys alone.
By combining BRUV and eDNA methods, the team have gained a more comprehensive understanding of biodiversity in the area, providing guidance for conservation efforts in Sussex, but also informing how future monitoring programmes can be conducted around the globe. And Sussex students have played a pivotal role in helping the researchers gather and analyse samples.
Dr Valentina Scarponi, project co-lead says:
“This is a very exciting project, as it will allow us to closely monitor changes in the local marine community.
“We are very proud to be contributing to practical conservation efforts. Students at Sussex studying Ecology, Zoology and Animal Studies play a key role in the project and gain exceptional skills. They help analyse video footage and collect water samples: it’s a really hands on project which has enabled them to experience real-world conservation as part of their studies.”
This study was funded by the SoCoBio DTP, Blue Marine Foundation, Sussex Wildlife Trust and NatureMetrics.