Scottish Borders Council has voted unanimously to become the second council in Scotland to pass a Motion for the Ocean – and take action for cleaner, healthier rivers and seas.
Since 2025, BSAC has backed the UK-wide Motion for the Ocean initiative, which encourages people to contact their local councillors and call for a council-wide commitment to cleaner waters.
Following the success of The City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders Council’s Motion for the Ocean is the second council to make the commitment in Scotland. More than 40 councils in the UK have made an Ocean Recovery Declaration since the Motion for the Ocean initiative was launched in 2021.
Scottish Borders’ Motion for the Ocean comes after BSAC Marine Champion and Divetech club member Joanne Topalian heard about the initiative late last year. Inspired, she contacted Tweeddale West Councillor Drummond Begg to see if he would table the motion.
With the area famous for diving such as St Abbs and Eyemouth, it was, said Joanne, a case of ‘why would I not do this?’ She said:
It was such an easy and straightforward process. I just copied the Motion for the Ocean advice on the BSAC website then edited the email to make it more personal. I was lucky in that Drummond was enthusiastic from the start, and he also involved another Councillor to help garner support.
After receiving Joanne’s email, environment advocate, and long-time supporter of The Woodland Trust, Cllr Begg said he didn’t hesitate to get on board. Over six months, he met with Scottish Borders Council officers and key stakeholders to outline the motion and listen to their views.
Cllr Begg explained:
It was important to ensure that it was a team effort and everyone on the Council felt that they were a part of something positive.
The response to Cllr Begg’s proposal was positive, and Scottish Borders Council unanimously passed their Motion for the Ocean in March. He added:
We now need to build on the consensus that looking after such an iconic river as the River Tweed is an important thing and that our seas and oceans’ health matter to us all.
Joanne and Cllr Begg will now continue to work together on their Motion for the Ocean pledge success. Joanne is also encouraging other Marine Champions, BSAC clubs and members to consider contacting their local council and call for a Motion for the Ocean:
It is easy to take action; you do not need lots of time, so I say - just do it!
Emily Cunningham MBE, marine biologist and co-founder of the Motion for the Ocean initiative, said she was delighted by this latest success:
The Motion for the Ocean is already creating real change across the UK, by promoting better policy, encouraging local education and community initiatives, and capturing international interest.
As the latest to pass a Motion for the Ocean, Scottish Borders Council has shown real environmental leadership in recognising just how connected we all are to our ocean. This is a brilliant result, and I hope more councils will follow.
Anyone can get involved
BSAC is now encouraging more people across the UK to take part, whether you're a diver, swimmer, paddleboarder, dog walker — or just someone who wants cleaner rivers and seas. You don't need to go on a march, or make a speech, or write a dissertation... you simply need to contact your local councillor and ask them to propose a Motion for the Ocean.
Get involved, add your voice and help make real change in our communities to protect the environment we love.
Learn more at bsac.com/M4TO
