The governance of marine and coral reef restoration, lessons and paths forward for novel interventions

The governance of coral reefs is challenged by the proposed use of novel coral reef interventions. To address this challenge, we reviewed the literature on governance and policy frameworks for coral and marine restoration to identify recommendations around how to consider the challenges associated with novel reef interventions. Our goal was to understand governance approaches to coral reef and marine restoration and adaptation interventions in Australia and other countries to identify how they might be applied to novel reef interventions. Based on the literature reviewed, we identify three broad recommendations across governance, engagement and policy development for how to approach marine and coral reef interventions. However, our analysis suggests that the literature is yet to provide detailed information on how policy can address reef interventions, particularly given the acknowledgement that restoration and adaptation are needed to help rebuild ecosystem resilience in a changing climate.