Continental-scale shellfish reef restoration in Australia
Shellfish reefs in Australia have been heavily depleted, prompting a continent‑scale initiative to restore 30% of their former extent. This work outlines the essential steps, progress, and challenges of implementing ecoscape‑scale restoration. The findings provide guidance for global commitments to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030 and demonstrate how large‑scale marine restoration can be advanced in practice.
Subject Tags
- Habitat restoration
- Large scale protection
- Reefs
Abstract
Shellfish reef ecosystems in Australia have been greatly depleted. Building on earlier trials, a continent-scale restoration initiative was underway by 2019 to restore 30% of their former distribution. Integral elements of building and progressing this ecoscape-scale restoration program are outlined and challenges discussed. Documenting pathways and challenges to large-scale restoration informs global commitments to see 30% of degraded ecosystems under effective restoration by 2030.
Citation
Fitzsimons, J. A., Valesini, F., Branigan, S., & Hancock, B. (2024). Continental-scale shellfish reef restoration in Australia. npj Ocean Sustainability 3: 62. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-024-00099-x
TNC Authors
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James A. Fitzsimons
Senior Advisor, Global Protection Strategies
The Nature Conservancy
Email: jfitzsimons@tnc.org -
Fiona Valesini
The Nature Conservancy -
Simon Branigan
The Nature Conservancy -
Boze Hancock
Senior Marine Restoration Scientist, Massachusetts
The Nature Conservancy
Email: bhancock@tnc.org