Marine scientists are calling for major changes to the rules governing marine ecosystem restoration, arguing that outdated and complex permitting processes are hindering efforts to revive declining ocean habitats. In a recent paper published in Cell Reports Sustainability, researchers say current regulations are slowing down projects at a time when marine environments face significant threats.
Marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes continue to disappear rapidly. Global initiatives like the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework have set targets to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030. However, the study’s authors warn that existing licensing systems make it difficult to achieve these goals.
Associate Professor Richard Unsworth of Swansea University, who leads an MSc programme in Marine Restoration and Conservation and serves as Chief Scientific Officer at Project Seagrass, said: “The very regulations meant to protect marine life are often blocking the projects designed to restore it. We urgently need smarter, more flexible systems that encourage innovation rather than stifle it.”
The study highlights several points:
- Marine restoration is a relatively new field compared to land-based efforts. While failures are common, they provide important learning opportunities.
- Regulatory barriers can make permits slow, expensive or unattainable—even for projects with clear ecological benefits.
- Restoration strategies must address future climate resilience instead of simply recreating past conditions.
- Involving Indigenous and local communities is crucial for fairness and effectiveness.
The paper proposes six reforms aimed at accelerating restoration:
1. Use innovative tools like assisted migration and genetic methods.
2. Develop “innovation sandpits” where new approaches can be tested safely.
3. Set up designated restoration zones with streamlined approval processes.
4. Require transparent reporting of both successes and failures.
5. Align permit durations with long-term ecological needs.
6. Remove licensing fees while offering incentives for restoration work.
The authors clarify they do not seek deregulation but want adaptive licensing based on evidence that supports innovation and long-term ecosystem resilience. They caution that without reform, international commitments may not be met.
Co-author Dr Elizabeth Lacey from Project Seagrass added: “We have a narrow window to turn the tide on ocean decline. Smarter permitting could be the key to unlocking large-scale restoration at the speed the planet needs.”