Scottish Association for Marine Science appoints ocean as board trustee

The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) has formally added the ocean as a trustee of its board, a move that marks a significant shift in how the organisation governs itself. In a meeting held last month in Oban, the west‑coast town that has long offered panoramic views of the Atlantic, the board adopted a new policy that recognises the sea as a legal stakeholder in decisions affecting its own future. The change follows a broader trend of recognising “rights of nature” in environmental law, and it is the first time a marine research body in Scotland has institutionalised the ocean in this way.

SAMS, founded in 1883 during the Scottish Enlightenment, has a 140‑year history of advancing marine science while historically treating the sea as a resource to be managed and exploited. The new trustee arrangement requires the board to consult the ocean’s interests before approving research projects, conservation plans, or any activity that could impact marine ecosystems. The policy, drafted in consultation with legal experts and marine ecologists, aligns with similar initiatives in other countries where ecosystems such as rivers, forests, and coral reefs have been granted legal personhood. SAMS officials say the move will help ensure that long‑term ecological considerations are embedded in the organisation’s strategic planning.

By giving the ocean a formal voice, SAMS aims to strengthen its commitment to sustainable marine stewardship and to demonstrate leadership in the emerging field of rights‑of‑nature governance. The decision is expected to influence future research priorities and policy recommendations, reinforcing the idea that protecting marine environments requires recognising the sea as an active participant in its own protection.