A nature project to restore marine biodiversity in the Solent has been recognised by the United Nations.

In July 2024, the Solent Seascape Project became an official UN Decade Action, acknowledged for its efforts towards international targets to safeguard and restore marine biodiversity.

The project, a first of its kind in the UK, focuses on protecting the Solent.

As a Decade Action, the Solent Project joins other global initiatives that aim to bridge scientific gaps in important ocean areas and engage communities in sustainable ways with the sea.

A unique aspect of the project is its focus on the connectivity and restoration of four major habitats - salt marshes, seagrass beds, oyster reefs and seabird sites – and their collective benefits to both nature and people.

Seven seabird sites and four trial sites for seagrass have already been initiated, along with almost 0.3 hectares for both salt marsh and oyster restoration.

The Solent Seascape Project partnership is composed of ten organisations, including the Blue Marine Foundation, RSPB, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Project Seagrass, Natural England, Environment Agency, Coastal Partners, Isle of Wight Estuaries Project, Chichester Harbour Protection and Recovery of Nature, and the University of Portsmouth.

This acknowledgement by the UN highlights the project’s international significance and accord with global standard practices.

It also enables the project to link and learn from other Decade Actions and stay ahead in marine research and restoration.

This cooperation can help establish a more durable coastline, aiding in climate change challenges, protecting coastal homes from erosion and sea level rise.

The UN's Ocean Decade of Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), spanning 66 nations, outlines ten challenges for the advantage of the ocean.

Project coordinator Rosalie Wright of Blue Marine Foundation said: "We are immensely proud that the Solent Seascape Project has been recognised internationally by such a prestigious institution.

"As a UN Ocean Decade Action, we look forward to working alongside and learning from this network to collectively achieve change for our ocean, at a local and global scale."