The Island and Beyond: Why Britain Must Champion Its Seas

When I refer to ‘the island’, many imagine I’m referring to some exotic Caribbean island thousands of miles away. While not quite enjoying the same sunny climate, the island I so often proudly refer to is every bit a slice of paradise—the UK’s very own Isle of Wight.

I’m the fourth generation of my family to have lived on the island. My grandparents and great-grandparents moved there for a different pace of life, but also because of their love of the seaside and the sea itself. I too have long loved the ocean, and growing up on ‘the island’, I spent many a weekend and even weekday evenings during the summer at the beach and out in the Solent—also the name of my middle school that overlooked it!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve also had a love of nature and so, while some of my peers spent their teenage years in our local towns, I instead spent mine scouring Newtown Nature Reserve—located on the northwest coast of the island and near my family’s home—for wildlife. I still remember the thrill of spotting an osprey out in Newtown Creek!

Freshwater Bay, Isle Of Wight

Fast forward to the present day, and having moved away, I still find myself pining to spend time in the water. As someone who could never master the art of surfing, I’ve instead become a keen paddleboarder and spend many an afternoon and summer evening sat on my board, watching the wildlife both above and below the water. In recent years, I’ve had the joy of seeing my nephews and niece enjoying the wonders of the water as I had done at their age.

Meanwhile, on the rare occasion I’ve headed to warmer climates, I’ve spent much of my time snorkelling, enjoying the wonders of wildlife below the ocean and, during walks along the beach, those above it too.

Since the 19th century, the Isle of Wight has been one of our most-loved seaside destinations—much helped by Queen Victoria spending so much of her time with her family at her beloved home, Osborne House, on the island. Today, I see first-hand how people travel from across the country—particularly inland towns and cities—to enjoy the sea, sand, and fresh air that comes with being close to the ocean. While coming from very different places and perspectives, my view of the ocean and theirs is the same. It represents escapism, beauty, and one of the most direct connections we can feel with the natural world.

Cowes Harbour, Isle of Wight

Is it any wonder that poll after poll shows how important not only the oceans around our island nation are to us, but also those around the globe?

But what has been done to protect our waters, and what more can be achieved?

At the last General Election, political opportunism caught hold, and little recognition was given for the significant strides that had been made to improve the quality of the water flowing down through our streams and rivers, and of course, eventually into the ocean. Monitoring is a little-talked-about success story but now rightly provides us with a picture of what needs to change.

Likewise, the previous government’s work with some of the world’s largest corporations to reduce plastic pollution and its £500 million ‘Blue Planet Fund’ has provided leadership on the world stage unlike anything we have seen before.

The seas and oceans surrounding our island nation form a vital part of our security, provide opportunities to create British-based energy and tackle climate change, and, if approached properly, present huge opportunities for growth in coastal communities across our country—just like the Isle of Wight.

At a time when the UK rightly pursues growth, ocean conservation and the so-called ‘blue economy’ has huge and too often untapped potential. It’s beyond time that political leaders move to harness it.