Sussex diver showcases films of unexpected sea life on home shores

A Sussex-based diver who films the coast's underwater life said some of the best snorkelling of his life has been in the area.

Gio Reale documents cat sharks, lobsters, stingrays and other sea life in the waters around Shoreham, Brighton and the other locations where he dives.

He has gained more than 100,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram.

Having started the accounts as a hobby, he said he didn't expect them to get as big as they have.

The 23-year-old Lewes resident said although the sea is often murky, on the clearest days there is "always a chance to see something new".

Often free-diving in water about seven or eight metres deep and between 17 and 22C, Mr Reale said the unexpected is what makes the Sussex coast special.

He said: "It's not like the Maldives. I can go there and expect to see sharks and coral reefs and stingrays.

"Here, not a lot of people expect it."

The only shame is the relatively short window when diving off Sussex is possible, on clear days between March and October, said Mr Reale.

"Those days that are really good are amazing," he added.

Coming out of the sea in Brighton and being surrounded by people on the beach eating fish and chips adds to the contrast.

But he said: "Some days I see more cans of beer in the water than I see fish."

Sussex Wildlife Trust's living seas officer, Sarah Ward, said there were "elusive" seahorses in the Sussex sea, though she had not been lucky enough to see one.

She recommended rock pooling as an even more accessible way of seeing the coast's marine life.

But she encouraged people to stick to the trust's seashore code and leave things how they were found.

Ms Ward added: "It's really brilliant to see people that are getting a following by highlighting what's there underwater."

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