River Tweed Commission welcomes Scottish Borders Council unanimous “Ocean Motion”
The River Tweed Commission and Tweed Forum have welcomed Scottish Borders Council unanimous decision to adopt a new “Ocean Motion”, recognising the vital connection between inland waterways and the health of the sea.
The motion recognises how communities across the Borders are directly connected to the ocean through the River Tweed and its tributaries — with everyday actions, from land management to water use, having a cumulative impact all the way downstream to the North Sea.
At its heart is a “source-to-sea” model, where rivers are understood not in isolation, but as part of a continuous system linking land, freshwater and marine environments.
Jonathan Reddin, Chief Commissioner of the River Tweed Commission, said:
“The long-term health of the River Tweed depends on how we manage the entire catchment. This source-to-sea approach reflects the reality that pressures on our rivers and oceans are interconnected. Effective stewardship requires strong governance, robust science and coordinated action across all sectors. The River Tweed Commission welcomes this recognition and the opportunity to support delivery through our statutory role.”
Drummond Begg, Scottish Borders Councillor, said:
“We are at a unique stage in our history. We have an unprecedented awareness of what we are doing to the planet, along with the power to do something about it. This motion recognises that the River Tweed, its tributaries, and the North Sea do not recognise manmade boundaries. What we do here in the Scottish Borders matters far beyond our immediate surroundings, and we have a responsibility to leave this environment in a better condition for future generations.”
The motion also emphasises the importance of partnership working between organisations including the River Tweed Commission, Tweed Forum, Tweed Foundation, SEPA, Scottish Water and local delivery bodies, alongside the role of communities in improving environmental outcomes.
Luke Comins, CEO of Tweed Forum, said:
“The health of our coastal waters begins upstream, and at Tweed Forum we understand that thriving rivers depend on the health of the land they flow through. We have over three decades of experience of working with partners, including Scottish Borders Council, to deliver nature-based solutions in the right place at the right scale across the Tweed catchment. We look forward to continuing to work with Scottish Borders Council to protect and improve the river and wider marine ecosystem.”
Across the catchment, ongoing scientific monitoring, habitat restoration, and education programmes are already contributing to a better understanding of river health and the pressures it faces — from climate change and water scarcity to land use and water quality.
The Council’s commitment includes increasing public awareness of how local actions affect rivers and oceans, embedding environmental considerations into planning and decision-making, and supporting opportunities for communities to engage with river and marine stewardship.
A full report outlining next steps and delivery actions is expected to be brought back to Council in due course.
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact Jamie Stewart at the River Tweed Commission.
