Joining the dots to safeguard Scotland's seas

Sea Scotland is an annual conference series which has been held since 2016 and aims to bring together the marine community and facilitate debate on critical issues facing the marine environment in Scotland. It is co-ordinated by a Steering Group comprising Scottish Environment LINK and their Marine Group Members (Scottish Wildlife Trust, Marine Conservation Society, Young Sea Changers Scotland and the Scottish Seabird Centre), Fauna and Flora, Howell Marine Consulting, Nature Scot, Project Seagrass, Seasearch Scotland and the Universities of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt.

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Sea Scotland, a milestone that arrives at a pivotal time for the future of Scotland’s seas. The conversations and discussions that take place here can build innovation, trust and tangible change across Scotland’s marine community, particularly at the start of a new Session of the Scottish Parliament. The theme ‘Joining the dots’ explores how action at different scales can work together to secure resilient seas for Scotland.

Across Scotland’s marine space, activity is happening at multiple scales and often at the same time. Regional Marine Plans are advancing area-based management approaches, such as the Shetland Marine Plan, while national frameworks, including the development of National Marine Plan 2, are setting broader strategic direction. Alongside these are restoration initiatives, sectoral development plans, and community-led projects. The challenge is not a lack of action, but in how these layers connect.

This year’s conference theme “Joining the Dots” invites reflection on what “good” looks like from different perspectives. For some sectors, success may mean tangible local and community benefits, thriving coastal economies, and visible environmental recovery. For others, it may centre on delivering national public interest objectives, meeting climate and biodiversity targets, or ensuring strategic economic growth. These visions are not necessarily incompatible, but they are not always aligned.

We will explore how small-scale, place-based initiatives align with, and inform, large-scale national frameworks, and vice versa. How do regional priorities feed into national strategy? How do national ambitions enable, rather than constrain, local delivery? And crucially, how do we ensure that planning and restoration efforts at different scales are coherent, mutually reinforcing, and adequately resourced?

Finance sits at the heart of this discussion and we will explore the different ways that public and private finance can work together to deliver shared outcomes. At the same time, meaningful engagement is essential but varies between regional and national processes. What does effective participation look like at each scale? Who feels heard and who does not?

Looking ahead, we invite all marine sectors to share how they see our marine space evolving over the next ten years. What does a successful, sustainable marine environment look like in 2030 and beyond? What trade-offs will we have to navigate? What opportunities should be amplified? By providing a platform for diverse voices, from community groups and regional planners to national policymakers and industry, this year’s conference aims to bridge scales, perspectives and ambitions. “Joining the dots” is about moving beyond parallel conversations and towards a more integrated, transparent and collaborative approach to marine governance.

Please note, the Sea Scotland youth event will take place on 26th October. If you're aged 18–30 and joining us at Sea Scotland, you're invited to attend our exclusive youth workshop and social the evening before the conference, designed to help you make the most of your Sea Scotland experience.

Whether it's your first conference or you're a seasoned conference delegate, this is a great opportunity to build confidence, meet other young people, and feel ready to have your voice heard during the day's discussions.

Register for your ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sea-scotland-2026-youth-package-workshop-dinner-conference-tickets-1993337630512?aff=oddtdtcreator. Please note that this ticket includes access to Sea Scotland, so if you're attending the youth workshop, there's no need to register separately for a Sea Scotland ticket.

Description supplied by the event organiser.