Marine wildlife

Protecting and restoring Suffolk's marine wildlife and habitats in the North Sea

Suffolk has a long and beautiful coastline, beloved for its sunrise skies, rugged landscapes, and charming seaside towns. But the coast also has a wilder side. Among the heathlands, mudflats, saltmarshes, creeks, and lagoons are some of Britain’s most important sites for nature - home to endangered wildlife and rare plants species that are unique to the Suffolk coast.

On land, we work across our nature reserves and collaborate with farmers, landowners, and communities to protect wildlife and restore habitats. At sea, the challenge is even greater, because much of what's happening to our marine ecosystems is hidden beneath the surface.

However, we know that Suffolk's marine wildlife and habitats need our help.

The North Sea has suffered decades of overexploitation. Drilling for oil and gas, bottom-trawling fisheries, aggregate extraction, and cable laying for energy infrastructure have all contributed to declines in marine wildlife and the destruction of habitats.

Meanwhile, our estuaries - which feed into the sea - also face immense pressure from pollution and changing sea levels. Sensitive habitats such as seagrass meadows and native oyster reefs are vitally important for tackling the impacts of the climate crisis. Therefore their loss threatens the future health of our entire county.

But it’s not too late. At Suffolk Wildlife Trust, we're campaigning for stronger protections for marine wildlife and habitats, and speaking up for nature when harmful activities threaten our seascapes. We also collaborate with organisations across the Suffolk coast to join forces in habitat restoration and species recovery.

Latest news & stories from our marine work