What The Wild Sea Can Be,
The Future of the World’s Ocean – by Helen Scales
Reviewed by ocean enthusiast and Go Ocean impact ambassador Sarah Collin.
Reflecting on 2025, a year in which I renewed my commitment to ocean stewardship, I drew significant inspiration from What The Wild Sea Can Be – The Future of the World’s Ocean by marine biologist Helen Scales, shortlisted for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction. The book covers all marine ecosystems Go Ocean is restoring and reinforced my ambition to encourage companies to integrate a blue dimension into their sustainability strategies and to advance meaningful, positive ocean impact.
Ten key messages I would like to share:
1) We are all ocean people; the ocean is a shared asset and a shared responsibility. No matter where we live, our lives depend on the ocean. A healthy ocean = a healthy planet.
2) Urgency + action = legacy. Tipping points are being passed and planetary boundaries are being breached. Businesses that invest today in marine resilience stand to be remembered as blue leaders, secure their value-chains, protect ecosystems, and create enduring positive legacy.
3) Long-term thinking trumps short-term gain. The ocean’s recovery may take decades but the payoff is durable. Businesses committing to long-term ocean health will be better positioned amid rising regulation, stakeholder expectations and climate uncertainty.
4) Protecting the ocean protects your licence to operate. Companies that recognise their dependence on stable ecosystems (e.g. shipping, tourism, fisheries, coastal real estate) secure long-term licence by supporting protection and restoration.
5) Investing in nature’s infrastructure builds resilience. Healthy mangrove forests, seagrass meadows and intact coastlines act as natural buffers, nurseries for marine life and carbon sinks. Businesses that invest in restoring these ecosystems reduce climate risk, value-chain disruption and reputational risk.
6) Nature can recover; business can help accelerate the rebound. If we stop harmful practices and invest in restoration, ecosystems rebound. Businesses can fund coastline / reef / mangrove / seagrass projects to show measurable positive impact and boost brand and stakeholder value.
7) Innovation anchored in nature is cost-effective and scalable. Nature-based solutions for coastal protection (storm surge, flooding) offer dual returns: risk mitigation + ecosystem services.
8) Protecting coastlines and restoring marine ecosystems is a business opportunity, not just a charity cost. Restoration generates jobs, tourism, carbon credits, sustainable seafood. Businesses that see ocean health as a growth strategy unlock new value flows.
9) Collaboration yields greater dividends than working alone.
Partnerships accelerate restoration. Investing alongside others creates scale, expertise and influence.
10) Solutions attract support — be part of the positive narrative. Celebrating successes builds momentum. Businesses investing in ocean restoration can leverage these positive stories for employee engagement, marketing, ESG reporting and stakeholder trust.
Are you ready to rewild the sea?
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Book review: What The Wild Sea Can Be by Helen Scales
“What The Wild Sea Can Be” by Helen Scales, reviewed by ocean enthusiast and Go Ocean impact ambassador Sarah Collin.
Mangrove restoration for climate action
Mangrove forests are among the most effective carbon sinks, storing vast amounts of blue carbon while protecting coastlines and supporting biodiversity.
