What the Wild Sea Can Be

by Helen Scales

No matter where we live, 'we are all ocean people,' Helen Scales observes in her bracing yet hopeful exploration of the future of the ocean. Beginning with its fascinating deep history, Scales links past to present to show how prehistoric ocean ecology holds lessons for the ocean of today.

In elegant, evocative prose, she takes us into the realms of animals that epitomize current increasingly challenging conditions, from emperor penguins to sharks and orcas. Yet despite these threats, many hopeful signs remain, in the form of highly protected reserves, the regeneration of seagrass meadows and giant kelp forests and efforts to protect coral reefs.

Offering innovative ideas for protecting coastlines and cleaning the toxic seas, Scales insists we need more ethical and sustainable fisheries and must prevent the other existential threat of deep-sea mining. Inspiring us all to maintain a sense of awe and wonder at the majesty beneath the waves, she urges us to fight for the better future that still exists for the ocean.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Science, Environment, Climate Change, Audiobook, Natural History

320 pages, Hardcover

First published June 6, 2024

About the author

In their review of my first book, Poseidon’s Steed, the Economist called me “The aptly named Helen Scales” and I guess they’re right. I do have a bit of a thing about fish (get it?).

Across the airways and in print, I’m noted for my distinctive and occasionally offbeat voice that combines a scuba diver’s devotion to exploring the oceans, a scientist’s geeky attention to detail, a conservationist’s angst about the state of the planet, and a storyteller’s obsession with words and ideas.

I have a Cambridge PhD and a monofin, I’ve drunk champagne with David Attenborough and talked seahorse sex on the Diane Rehm show. I spent four years (on and off) chasing after big fish in Borneo and another year cataloguing marine life surrounding 100 Andaman Sea islands.

These days I write books and articles, I make podcasts and radio, travel the world in search of stories, and do my best to spend as much time as I can in the sea as a scuba diver, free diver and rookie surfer. I’m a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and a member of the steering committee for the Museum of Curiosity. I’m also a proud aunt, I sew dresses, grow organic vegetables, put on high heels and dance Argentine tango, play piano, sing in the shower, and make a mess in a printmaking studio.

Reviews

[Hannah Greendale (Hello, Bookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hopeful but not the urgent cry for action I expected.🐠

👉 Check out my 2025 Women's Prize reads on BookTube. 📚🐛



"I hope this book will offer an antidote to the rising tide of eco-anxiety and fears for the future of the planet."

Biologist Helen Scales opens What the Wild Sea Can Be by saying that she's about to swing readers back and forth through time. And she does. She oscillates from the Cambrian to the Paleozoic then back to the Ordovician then to the Mesozoic and everywhere in between. These dizzying time leaps initially had me worried that this book would be too frenetic.

Fortunately, from chapter two onward, the writing is much more focused. Each chapter is allocated largely to discussing one form of aquatic life such as lionfish, sharks, killer whales, coral, sea kelp, and more. These chapters are well written and engaging.

As someone who's read many books over the years about animals and the environment, I didn't feel I encountered much in this book I hadn't read before; however, if this is a new area of interest for potential readers, I'd venture to say that What the Wild Sea Can Be is a very approachable introduction to the problems plaguing the oceans, as well as how humans have dangerously accelerated climate change.

The blurb says Scales "urges us to fight for a better future", and this is where I felt the book was lacking. There's only one chapter at the end with ideas and suggestions for change, most of which apply to businesses. About two pages are dedicated to giving readers some sense of how they can affect change on an individual level, but nothing about it feels urgent.

I appreciate that this book is hopeful and balanced in its exploration of the changing oceans, but I wish it had done more to compel readers to care and take action. Even so, I would recommend to people looking for a not-too-science-heavy introduction to how climate change affects the oceans.

[Joy D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen Scales examines the impact of environmental changes caused by global warming on the earth’s oceans. She provides examples of the detrimental effects as well as those where changes have brought back marine species, such as results of international agreements and “no-take” zones. This book contains detailed information about the ocean’s history, vanishing species, destruction of habitats, attempts at restoration, and the outlook for the future. The author outlines the reasons that biodiversity is important. She analyzes critical elements of impact on marine life, such as rising temperatures, rising acidity, harmful bacteria and viruses, plastic contamination. She also spells out plenty of reasons why everyone should care about the seas.

I appreciate her “big picture” evaluation of marine ecosystems, including how mass migrations caused by species trying to find a new habitat can upset the ecological balance. Scales cites the latest worry that giant corporations will harm ecosystems and marine life by mining the ocean floor, which, once disturbed by heavy machinery, will take thousands of years (if ever) to regenerate. This would have a domino effect on the cleanliness of the water, harmful sound pollution that could kill or maim or reroute migration paths of many thousands of marine animals and decrease the ability of the ocean to contribute to clean air. The ocean is one of the largest carbon dioxide absorbers and produces oxygen through photosynthesis. There are important reasons to protect our oceans!

The optimism indicated by the title has to do with the many successes that have already occurred when countries have clamped down on trawling, dredging, and other types of commercial harvesting. The author provides many examples of the ways in which individuals can make decisions on a smaller scale that, taken together, can make a large positive difference. She is basically making a case for short-term sacrifices that will yield long-term benefits.

The author’s love for the wonders of the marine world is obvious, and she offers a level of hope not often found in environmental books. “I hope this book will offer an antidote to the rising tide of eco-anxiety and fears for the future of the planet….and turn that fear into commitment and initiative.” Highly recommended.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helen Scales, enthusiastic, earnest and with a warning prophetic tone has slipped What the Wild Sea Can Be: The Future of the World's Ocean onto our bookshelves.

Within the covers of this read she goes from shark populations to kelp forests, from the Artic ecosystem to Antarctica's. She looks into the deep past of our oceans and spins out to the unmitigated future - as she illustrates the devastating wonders of human interference with just about every species that lives in one of earth's oceans. Bottomline, if we don't stop many of the ways we are living our lives conveniently we will kill all of it. With a voice that beckons to mankind to recognize the blessing oceans and their populations have been, are now and can be to its well-being, that same voice carries with no doubt warning that change (individual, national and regional) must occur - and must occur soon.

Very accessible, and written to the non-scientific reader - all those who may get their news from the best seller's list rather than scientific journals. Perfect for this reader in particular!

*A Sincere Thank you to Helen Scales, Grove Atlantic, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #WhattheWildSeaCanBe #NetGalley 25|52:14a

[victoria marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shortlisted for the 2025 Women’s Prize, Nonfiction

read via my ears (audiobook), & this was fantastic. as someone who loves all bodies of water & always in awe of how much is still unexplored + what it gives + all of it (including ORCAS!) & terrified of ongoing climate change / global warming, this was very great to listen to & can see myself relistening to parts again.

there’s some great hope too, & actions we can make & push for together that will make a difference… but a good mix of it all & the reality too.

(the narration is by the author & lovely. tho my adhd needs to always bump up the speed a bit, this time it was a LOT… just fyi if you chose to listen & are feeling that it’s slow etc, neurodivergent or not!!)

rankings (shortlisted books numbered)
2025 Women’s Prize—Nonfiction
* Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life by Lulu Miller
* By the Fire We Carry: The Generations-Long Fight for Justice by Rebecca Nagle
1. Story of a Heart: Two Families, One Heart, and a Medical Miracle by Rachel Clarke
2. What the Wild Sea Can Be: The Future of the World's Ocean by Helen Scales
3. A Thousand Threads: A Memoir by Neneh Cherry
4. Agent Zo: The Untold Story of a Fearless World War II Resistance Fighter by Clare Mulley
5. Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton
* Autocracy, Inc. by Anne Applebaum
* Sister in Law: Fighting for Justice in a System Designed by Men by Harriet Wistrich
* Wild Thing: A Life of Paul Gauguin by Sue Prideaux
* Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age by Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough
* The Eagle and the Hart: The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV by Helen Castor
6. Private Revolutions: Four Women Face China's New Social Order by Yuan Yang

[14/16 read, & calling it; saving two in our library for later: Tracker by Alexis Wright & Ootlin by Jenni Fagan]

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another entertaining read from Helen Scales on life in the sea. I recently read one of her other books, so this was maybe a little too soon after the previous one. There was quite some overlap between this book and the deep sea book, and also within the book there is some repetition between chapters. But it's not a big deal to me, the author is a good writer and the ocean-related stories are amazing either way. This book focuses a lot on ocean conservation stories for different kinds of organisms. A nice read for ocean enthusiasts and scientists.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions.

[Lucy Bruemmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting insights on the ocean and its future. Nothing really impressed me though, not sure I’d recommend this one. I think it was well-researched and had enough to keep me reading, but the thesis wasn’t very strong. I think it needed a more interesting angle and call to action.

[Keely · Rating 5 out of 5]

In What the Wild Sea Can Be, Helen Scales shares a comprehensive look at the challenges facing the ocean today, from climate change, to pollution and overfishing. This exploration is starkly honest about the damage humans have already done (and are still doing) to marine life and habitats. And yet, all along the way, Scales offers glimmers of hope, with examples of successful cleanup efforts, species revitalizations, and growing resistance to practices that treat the ocean as a resource to be extracted and exploited. What the Wild Sea Can Be emphasizes repeatedly that it’s not too late to make difficult but doable changes, thereby shaping a better future for the oceans that sustain us all.

This is such a remarkable and hopeful book—a Silent Spring for our 21st century time. Helen Scales’s passion for her subject comes through on every page. One minute, I’d be nerding out with her as she detailed the wonders of sea life. The next, I’d be nodding along as she explained how cutting subsidies to the fossil fuel industry could help slash carbon emissions. There’s an unexpected social-justice theme to the book, too. At different moments, Scales laments that the people who have done the least to contribute to pollution and climate change will be the ones to suffer most from rising sea levels and an ocean that can no longer support life as it once did.

I was especially struck by one of the book’s closing thoughts: “Living together on this blue planet, we are all ocean people.” The sense of unity and a shared future is the guiding spirit of What the Wild Sea Can Be.

[Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scales provides a brilliant view of the ocean as it is, and as it might be. I pick these landscape books about the environment with care, as they can be devastating, and if they’re not then they feel incomplete or deceitful. Scales threads the needle expertly as she balances hope and despair with honesty not platitudes.

She does this by building her hope for the future on a solid foundation. She is cautious, and does not pour blind faith into fantastical schemes like lab grown fish or plastic-eating bacteria, nor is she enamoured by a dated techno-optimism that reinforces despair rather than mitigates it. Instead she builds on the firmer grounds of humble and measurable changes happening now extrapolated to the future. She doesn’t ignore some of the more idealistic or science fiction ideas, but her picture of the future is not stretched or warped to accomodate their unlikelihood.

Scales hints at the need for more radical answers to the Anthropocene but doesn’t stray too far from the status quo when she imagines the future. The focus of this book is not a political analysis of the future, and describing solutions that are dependant on radical political upheaval can make them feel out of reach. She keeps political futures out of the scope of this book, and I think it helps her strike the tone she wants.

This book can be depressing at times. I read it off the back of Attenborough’s Oceans documentary which sucker-punched me with misery before any could be drilled in here, so it’s hard to determine how devastating this book might be in a vacuum. Regardless, I left it with a far less bleak imagination of the future, and far more invigorated to take part in the environmental movement than I did when I began. Scales’ curiosity toward how the ocean might change rather than equating all change with loss helps keep some grief at bay.

Structurally, she smartly balanced out wins and losses for the ocean, to keep readers from being inundated with all at once. The wins may be smaller than the losses today, but it is in those small patches where the hope grows.

Through this exploration of the changing ocean, we learn a lot about its complexity and resilience. The scale and breadth of life under the sea is inspiring and Scales brings it to light without needing visuals to present it.

The language of precarity is too often used to describe nature, and it gives so little credit to the world around us. Despite everything humans have already wrought on the planet it still survives, and despite everything that comes, the ocean will remain filled with whatever life finds a way through the Anthropocene. Scales understands that we should organise ourselves around the knowledge that we can’t lose our ocean. An ecosystem will hide under the waves for as long as our planet exists. We’re fighting for what it could be, not for what is lost.

Scales imbues me not only with the wonder of what we might lose but also the wonder in what could be, not just again, but also for the first time.

[Gabriella Chiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect non-fiction for me. Brief enough to touch upon multiple topics while being detailed enough for me to understand the fundamental knowledge. I cannot wait to read more books by Helen Scales. I learnt soooo much in this book!

[katie meddins (maresh) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Living together on this blue planet, we are all ocean people.”

rtc

[asha! · Rating 4 out of 5]

the first non fiction book i’ve read in some time that’s neither literary criticism, historiographical, or philosophical. refreshing!

quite daringly optimistic in a way that i really enjoyed. it’s not all over. thank god

[Beth Baum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfectly relevant book in these political times

[Madeline Elsinga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 stars

So amazingly written! I was immediately pulled in, it doesn’t read as a dry academic text as some science books can. There were parts in the middle that started to slump a little, in part because of my burnout but also because the science info could become a little heavy.

A look at the past and present of the ocean and the animals/wildlife that live there, using this information to see how we can save it! Great intro about how we can be fearful but also hopeful and use both those feelings to take action before it’s too late 🤍

I’ve looooved the ocean since I was a kid! I hated science classes but the ocean, was the one thing I paid attention to 😂 I am terrified of the deep ocean/waters in general (Thalassophobia) but my arguably healthy fear is also paired with a very deep respect for ocean life 🌊 which is why I was so excited to read this!

Explores some of the dangers facing the future of the oceans and marine life including overfishing, microplastics, and climate change. Each chapter focuses on one of the issues we are facing, a few species that are affected, and what is being done/can be done to stop or sometimes reverse the damage being done.

The last couple of chapters especially focus a lot on different methods being tried to save the ocean! Throughout the book and in the end, we learn about marine reserves, reef restoration, and that no matter what method scientists use the only thing that can have enough of an impact is cutting carbon emissions and having stricter restrictions on fishing industries.

Scales also reminds us that boycotting and using our voices can help make changes in whatever ways we can, but to not feel bad for what we can’t do because it’s ultimately up to governments and corporations to make the biggest changes since they’re the ones causing the most damage.

Love that the author uses indigenous names for places/settings! Like Aotearoa is the Māori people’s name for what is New Zealand. She also points out the issues we are facing are mostly due to colonialism and colonial countries in power that don’t have to rely on ocean life the way indigenous peoples do. It’s a reminder that everything is connected and none of us are safe and protected until all of us, including ocean life, are free and protected!

I do hope the final version will have photos of the animals mentioned because I did have to look some of them up because I didn’t know what they were/looked like.

Overall it was informative without being dry/boring and kept me engaged for the most part! It reinforced my love of the ocean and wanting to save it, while also teaching me about its history. I’d highly recommend to anyone who enjoys science books (or doesn’t as much, like me) and has an interest in environmental justice, marine life, or the affects of climate change and how we can do better!

Thank you netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Some of my favorite quotes:

“An alternative view is to think of fish and other sea life not as a resource to profit from but as animals that have their own right to exist.”

“Unhitching humanity from business as usual, shifting the underlying drivers that cause so many problems, and finding new ways of living with the changing ocean is where truly radical views of the future lie.”

“We all depend on healthy seas for the air we breathe, for the falling rain, for the livable world we inhabit. For millions of people, a healthy ocean means food and jobs.”

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this thoughtful and heartfelt approach to understanding our Anthropocene oceans. While the problems facing the ocean are legion, this book gives us balance. Not in a Pollyanna fashion - it’s brutally honest about the challenges. But honesty without hope breeds despair and our oceans crucially need advocates. This book shows us that we are not on a one way track, that biodiversity loss is not a fait accompli, and that if hard but honest work is done we can right the ship. This book is great for fans of the ocean. You don’t need a degree in biology to fall in love with the ocean and thanks to Dr. Scales’ clear prose you don’t need one to enjoy this book either. I found it insightful and inspiring’

(Provided a free copy for review)

[CatReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

In What the Wild Sea Can Be, British marine biologist Helen Scales writes about how climate change is impacting marine ecosystems. Various chapters focus on impacts on penguin nesting sites, marine forests, various shark species, and many more. While I've read many similar books that focus on the ocean more broadly with respect to ecology and climate change, this book is narrowed to marine ecosystems. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, I found this book dry (pun unintended) and depressing (though I think that was Scales' intention).

My statistics:
Book 26 for 2025
Book 1952 cumulatively

[Melanie Caldicott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wouldn't be a subject I would normally read about, but I'm glad I did as it educated me about some important issues. This book made me very sad, though it offers hope. Going beyond the headlines it was shocking how much beautiful marine nature is being damaged by human greed and carelessness. This book did a great job at highlighting issues in an accessible way. However, that said there's only so much science I would like to read but that's down to personal preference. Still I found this emotional and interesting.

[Andre Frcek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mane ts was so epic ong you know I fuck wit fish heavy gang. Even real fish heads like can still extract some valuable knowledge.

[Kelli Santistevan · Rating 3 out of 5]

No matter where we live, 'we are all ocean people', Helen Scales observes in her bracing yet hopeful exploration of the future of the ocean. Beginning with its fascinating deep history, Scales links past to present to show how prehistoric ocean ecology holds lessons for the ocean of today.

I listened to this book on Libro FM. I liked when she talked about the creatures that live in the ocean and I thought it was really interesting but when she started talking about ocean science, I found it dry, boring and depressing knowing what humans have done to the ocean. I recycle. I throw away my trash in a trash can. I don’t litter. If I see trash on the ground, I pick it up and throw it away but other than that, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do to save the ocean but I can’t do it by myself. It takes all of us. Towards the end of this book, there was advice for businesses to help save the ocean but there wasn’t any advice for individuals to follow so I don’t know what I’m supposed to do besides what I’m already doing.

[Alia Ona · Rating 5 out of 5]

es isch eifach so unglaublich guet!

D Helen Scales verpackt mega vieli Informatione uf e richtig spannendi Art und Wiis in Fluss vom Buech.

Ihre Fokis lieht klar ufem Klimawandel, während mer vo ihre als Meeresbiologin Einiges über d Biodiversität unterwasser und einzelni Spezies und Ökosystem lernt.

Sie erklärt aber au schonigslos, wie s Meer vode Menschheit usgnoh wird und de vorherrschendi Kapitalismus defür verantwortlich isch. Usserdem bringt sie diversi Lösigsahsätz für unterschiedlichi Problem wo mir momentan hend und belüchtet bereits bestehendi Ideeä, Experiment und Vorgäng vo unterschiedliche Siite und zeigt uf, wie komplex alles, was uf de Welt passiert, ob natürlich oder künstlich vo Mensche gmacht, zämehangt.

Im Vergliich zu "Ocean" vom Attenborough gaht das Buech tüfer id Materie, isch radikaler und vielschichtiger. Wenn mer sich mitem Thema Meer und Klimawandel etc. nöd guet uskennt, isch Ocean de perfekti Ihstig und What the Wild Sea Can Be d Fortsetzig.

Es isch emotional, informativ, tüf, spannend und richtig guet gschriebe.

Lesed bitte das Buech.

[vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Not a topic I usually read, but really accessible and light all things considered. Scales’s wonder for the ocean and its inhabitants shines and comes through well to the reader. I especially loved learning about the bigger ocean animals she focuses on in the earlier chapters like emperor penguins and sharks. The biggest takeaway from this book is that if we leave the seas wild, they can regenerate and evolve to suit their needs even post-all the climate change that has been imposed on them. The problem is us: industrialization, profit-seeking, plastic-making, overfishing, and mining.

[Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceptionally informative and fascinating - however was set up to show both sides of the history and future of the sea and I think had too much emphasis on the degradation of the natural environment - could have gone more in-depth on the fantastic positive initiatives researched - but appreciate to there was a lot to squeeze in!

[Christopher Fouche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. Scales strikes a great balance between information about the ocean and its inhabitants, inspiration at the awe and wonder found therein, and rage at the destruction that humanity is causing. Well worth reading.

[Sue-Jean Sung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her ability to make data and facts into a page turner must be studied and applied to all crises

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A broad overview of the challenges facing the world's oceans today. Detailed enough to be immersive, Scales explains issues clearly enough for a layperson myself. I'd highly recommend What the Wild Sea Can Be to anyone who is concerned about the climate crisis or loves the sea.

[Leonie Piek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, reviewing the current state of our beautiful ocean. I am 100% obsessed with the ocean so I cannot exclaim anything but love for a book that talks of the seas and the oceans in such a beautiful way.

I understand why this book was selected for the Women’s prize, 10/10 do recommend 🌊

[Angus McMaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

First marine bio book that hasn’t left me utterly depressed about the future of the oceans

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a well researched and written book. 👏 maintained it's realism while also giving me hope :) which is hard to do when it's about climate change

[CB · Rating 4 out of 5]

30 yo and I finally know I want to be a marine biologist when I grow up.

[Miki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprised - but happy - that this is on the shortlist for the WP for Nonfiction!

[Torie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would really only recommend this to a general audience with an interest, but not much scientific background, in marine conservation. It was just much more surface level than I expected, I definitely wouldn't describe it as "impassioned" like the blurb does.