One of the brilliant things about living in Scotland is that you’re never all that far from the sea. Those of us who feel the sea’s call – and who in Scotland doesn’t – can get our fix of it without travelling a great distance. The seas around our jagged coastline are a place of enjoyment and inspiration. For me there’s a sense of wonder in the less seen things – from the anemones and crabs hidden in rockpools to the ocean food webs on which we all depend. The sea is a source of livelihoods, especially for coastal communities that rely on fishing. It’s home to a mind-boggling variety of wildlife, from huge whales and basking sharks to seabed habitats like oyster beds, bright orange flame shell beds and pink maerl. Our seabird populations are of global significance, with five million breeding here every year.

The sea is also our strongest line of defence against climate change, as ocean habitats can absorb vast amounts of carbon and can help protect our coasts from the worst of the swell during storms.

In short, the sea really matters. So, you’d think looking after this invaluable resource would be a high priority – right? That’s what I thought when I started working in the Scottish marine policy field 12 years ago. Just four years earlier in 2010, the Scottish parliament had passed the Marine (Scotland) Act, which places significant duties on Scottish government ministers to protect and recover our seas. This ambitious legislation gave me and my colleagues hope that we would soon see the tide start to turn and Scotland’s seas start to return to........

© Herald Scotland