Journal article
Advancing coastal and marine ecological restoration in Australia
Australian journal of maritime and ocean affairs, Vol.First online, pp.1-45
01/07/2026
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Abstract
Australian coastal and marine ecosystems underpin the nation's social, cultural, and economic values, but are increasingly degraded by climate change and other human pressures. Conventional management has failed to halt biodiversity loss, prompting calls for more active intervention. Australia is advancing knowledge to support restoration and climate adaptation, with some approaches now in pilot stages or nearing implementation. However, greater investment in restoration research and development is needed to accelerate progress. Four priorities emerge. First, large-scale, long-term restoration testbeds are required across ecosystems, supported by transparent governance and sustained funding to evaluate effectiveness and impact in real-world conditions. Second, transformative innovation is needed to enable scaling and improve climate resilience, including novel genetic tools and multidisciplinary approaches. Third, evidence-based decision-support systems must better integrate data to improve prediction, prioritisation, and evaluation of restoration outcomes. Finally, social dimensions are critical: building a skilled workforce, enabling conditions for implementation, and supporting Indigenous leadership and co-design will maximise outcomes across people, planet, profit, and purpose. Investment in these areas will deliver coordinated, effective restoration and maximise ecological, societal, economic, and cultural benefits now and into the future.
Details
- Title
- Advancing coastal and marine ecological restoration in Australia
- Creators
- Melinda A. Coleman - New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Fisheries Research (Australia, Coffs Harbour)Line K. Bay - Australian Institute of Marine ScienceKevin R. Bairos-Novak - Australian Institute of Marine ScienceMibu Fischer - CSIRO EnvironmentJustine Bell-James - The University of QueenslandMelanie J. Bishop - Macquarie UniversityAna B. Bugnot - CSIRO EnvironmentChristopher Doropoulos - CSIRO EnvironmentPatrick G. Dwyer - New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Fisheries Research (Australia, Coffs Harbour)Mariana Mayer-Pinto - UNSW SydneyRebecca L. Morris - The University of MelbourneAbbie A. Rogers - The University of Western AustraliaAdriana Vergés - UNSW SydneyNathan J. Waltham - James Cook UniversityGeorgina Wood - Flinders UniversityTanveer M. Adyel - RMIT UniversityRodrigo H. Bustamante - CSIRO EnvironmentCraig Copeland - OzFish Unlimited (Australia, Ballina)Katherine A. Dafforn - Macquarie UniversityWilliam Glamore - UNSW SydneyTim M. Glasby - New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Fisheries Research (Australia, Coffs Harbour)Cayne Layton - University of TasmaniaCatherine E. Lovelock - The University of QueenslandEzequiel M. Marzinelli - The University of SydneyJustin I. McDonald - Department of Primary Industries and Regional DevelopmentElizabeth A. Sinclair - The University of Western AustraliaElisabeth M.A. Strain - University of TasmaniaBruce Taylor - CSIRO EnvironmentRowan Trebilco - CSIRO EnvironmentAlice J. Twomey - The University of QueenslandEric J. Woehler - Australasian Society for Infectious DiseasesMary A. Young - Deakin UniversityMegan I. Saunders - CSIRO Environment
- Publication Details
- Australian journal of maritime and ocean affairs, Vol.First online, pp.1-45
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- Grant note
- Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (https://gbrrestoration.org/) which is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
- Identifiers
- 991013389842802368
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Author(s).
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article