The ocean now has a formal seat and voice in boardroom meetings that shape its future, after a historic marine science organization in Scotland appointed the sea itself as a trustee. The unusual initiative is part of a growing global movement to grant legal rights to nature and ensure environmental perspectives are included in executive decision-making.
The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), a 140-year-old charity based in the coastal town of Oban, has added the role of "ocean trustee" to its constitution to prevent it from being dismissed as mere greenwashing. Nick Owens, the director of SAMS, noted that while awareness of human impact on the planet has grown, ethical decisions are still made almost entirely from a human viewpoint. By making the ocean a trustee, the organization hopes to shift that perspective.
To represent the ocean, SAMS appointed Helen Mitcheson, an environmental lawyer with a background in marine mammal science. Mitcheson speaks on behalf of the ocean during board meetings, evaluating how proposed strategies might affect the marine ecosystem. Although she does not hold a veto, she ensures the ocean's health is considered early in the planning process. Mitcheson recalled having to intervene in her first meeting after 20 minutes passed without a single mention of the ocean, highlighting the cultural shift required.
The decision could have major practical consequences. SAMS officials acknowledge that representing the ocean might force them to reject lucrative contracts or avoid working with certain exploitative industries, such as some sectors of aquaculture. However, the organization plans to remain objective and transparent, aiming to work with industries to help them minimize their environmental impact rather than immediately cutting ties.
SAMS is not alone in this experiment. In 2022, the eco-beauty manufacturer Faith in Nature became the first company to give nature a formal vote, which has since inspired about 25 organizations across the UK, Europe, the US, and Australia to follow suit. SAMS leaders hope that within a decade, asking "what would the ocean think about this?" will become a standard question in boardrooms worldwide.