Why are our oceans so important, and what can we do to keep them safe?

Macdara Ó Cuaig of the Marine Institute tells Liz O'Brien why we need to protect our waters if we want our planet to thrive

Macdara Ó Cuaig of Marine Institute says: "We have a maritime heritage that we should be proud of."

MACDARA Ó Cuaig’s life has always been influenced by the ocean — reared amongst a family of fishermen, he grew up living in a home by the sea and spent his childhood fishing.

The fisheries scientist and TV presenter knows well how valuable the ocean is to us, and says that no matter how far any of us live from the shore, the tide - one of the most powerful forces on earth - affects us every day, in ways we may not even realise.