Diver honoured for marine conservation work

A diver who helped create what is described as the UK's largest marine rewilding project has been awarded an honorary degree.

Eric Smith, 77, spent years campaigning for a ban on fishing trawlers along the coast from Selsey to Hastings.

He also co-founded the Sussex Underwater charity and inspired a documentary narrated by Sir David Attenborough, which highlights the importance of marine habitats.

Smith, from Brighton, was conferred a Doctor of Science for his achievements at the University of Sussex on Thursday.

Smith, who has been diving in the county since he was 11 years old, said he was "quite surprised" by the honour.

He told BBC Radio Sussex his films and projects have helped people "fall in love with the sea".

"When we started talking to people five years ago, everyone thought the sea was just this grey mass out there, which occasionally got rough," he said.

"But we're making films and showing people what it's all about - and they're stunned.

"They keep coming at us [asking]: Where is this? Is it Malaysia or the Great Barrier Reef?

"No, this is Sussex," he added.

Smith said he was first inspired to get into diving while staying on a beach in 1959.

"I don't know what I was doing, fishing, throwing stones in the water, whatever.

"But someone got out with a wetsuit on, and I thought, crikey, I can do that."

A few weeks later, he said, he entered the water with a complete diving outfit that cost 50 pence and found some kelp beds.

"You can imagine it: squid, entanglement, currents, tides, you name it.

"It's scared the hell out of us."

But, he said: "We got used to it".

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