We’re thrilled to share that ARC Marine, the innovative marine restoration company we helped Crowdfund in 2017, is making waves once more. The recent BBC feature on their pioneering Reef Enhancement for Scour Protection (RESP) pilot project at Rampion Offshore Wind Farm represents a fantastic moment we’ve been proud to contribute to. What began as a grassroots crowdfunding campaign has matured into a national story of ingenuity, sustainability, and marine stewardship.
Revisiting Our Role: 2017 Crowdfunding Launchpad
Eight years ago, ARC Marine emerged as a visionary startup aiming to merge marine conservation with real‑world applications. In early 2017, they launched a crowdfunding campaign with help from Crowdfund‑360 on the Crowdfunder platform to fund their “multi‑purpose, modular artificial reef” solution. The goal? A freshwater reef in Vobster Quay to support the endangered white‑clawed crayfish and test their reef cube design. Thanks to dedicated grassroots efforts and support from over 80 backers, ARC Marine raised £30,618. Enough to begin constructing the reef.
That campaign catalyzed media attention in dive magazines and ocean‑focused blogs, validated ARC Marine’s modular reef concept, and laid the groundwork for future marine projects.
ARC Marine Today: From Experimental Reef to Offshore Innovation
Fast‑forward to 2025. The BBC reports that at Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, around 75 000 of ARC Marine’s reef cubes have been strategically placed around a single turbine base, covering an impressive 820 m². This isn’t simply an experimental token; it’s one of the largest artificial reefs ever deployed at sea. Built from low‑carbon, recycled aggregate sourced near Truro, Cornwall, these reef cubes serve a dual mission:
- Protect turbine foundations from erosive currents, offering an engineered scour solution.
- Accelerate biodiversity, by fostering habitats for species like ross worms, anemones, oysters, mussels, fish, and crustaceans.
As Helen Elphick of RWE succinctly put it: “It’s a real sustainable win‑win”.
ARC Marine’s Chief Scientific Officer, Samuel Hickling, added that the cubes are “designed to replicate the complexity you get in a natural reef” to encourage reef‑building species to settle.
The Journey from Crowdfunding to Conservation Vanguard
ARC Marine’s journey, from raising just over £30,000 to deploying nearly 75,000 reef cubes, vividly illustrates the power of community‑driven innovation. The initial crowdfunding empowered them to:
- Prototype reef cubes in freshwater environments, safeguarding endangered UK crayfish.
- Refine modular reef structures through collaborations with academic partners like the University of Plymouth.
- Win industry recognition, including the Marine‑i Technology Innovation Award for their reef cube technology.
- Attract grant support for large‑scale offshore deployment, such as the Innovate UK award that underpins the RESP pilot.
That early support and advice from Crowdfund‑360 helped connect ARC Marine with influential partners (Virgin, Bristol Zoo, Vobster Dive Centre) and helped build networks that continue to bear fruit today. Our team at Crowdfund‑360 is incredibly proud of being part of that foundation.
Looking Ahead: Five Years of Marine Resilience
The blast of ocean currents and shifting seabeds around turbine foundations can wreak havoc but ARC Marine’s reef cubes promise a sustainable, replicable solution. The BBC article notes that this test will be monitored over five years to evaluate its impact on erosion prevention and biodiversity.
Out of this trial will emerge invaluable data, not just for Rampion, but for the global offshore renewables industry. If successful, RESP could massively improve how wind farms support marine ecosystems, mainstreaming nature‑inclusive design (NID) as a best practice.
🎉 A Heartfelt Congratulations
So here’s to ARC Marine: from a bold crowdfunding idea to a high‑impact, BBC‑featured offshore pilot. A journey marked by determination, innovation, and collaboration that represents the best of citizen‑powered conservation.
We’re honored that Crowdfund‑360 played a role in this voyage, and we’ll be cheering you on as RESP reveals its results in the coming years. Here’s to sustainable oceans and healthier marine ecosystems in our future.
