Ocean Gets a Seat on the Board

In a significant environmental and ethical shift, the Scottish Association for Marine Science (Sams) has officially appointed the ocean as a trustee. This groundbreaking initiative ensures that the ocean's perspective and its ability to function as an ecosystem are considered in the organization's strategic decisions. The ocean is now represented by a dedicated trustee who has a voice in board discussions, though not a veto.

This move aligns with a growing global recognition of the rights of nature. Sams joins approximately 25 other organizations worldwide that have implemented similar policies. These include Faith in Nature, a beauty manufacturer that first appointed nature as a corporate trustee in 2022, leading to tangible ethical sourcing changes. The trend is spreading across Britain, France, Belgium, the US, and Australia, with some pushing for legal requirements for nature representation on corporate boards.

Helen Mitcheson, an environmental lawyer with a background in marine mammal science, has been appointed as the first ocean trustee for Sams. Her role involves ensuring that environmental factors are considered early in all strategic decisions. While the concept is still being embedded, the aim is to encourage a fundamental reevaluation of business practices, potentially influencing decisions on lucrative contracts and industry collaborations to minimize environmental impacts.