Recommendations for Advancing Marine Ecosystem Restoration in Europe turns to implementation. It finds that outcomes are strongest when active restoration is combined with long-term protection, an integrated “active plus passive” approach that protects investment and enables recovery at meaningful scales. To deliver Article 5 of the Regulation, it calls for robust ecological baselines, standardised monitoring, and harmonised indicators of success, supported by coordinated EU guidance and diversified financing, including instruments such as blue bonds and public-private partnerships.

Unlocking the potential of Marine Ecosystem Restoration in Europe frames restoration as an economic opportunity as much as an environmental one. It shows that restoration is achievable and economically viable in both coastal and deep-sea ecosystems, and that it can create jobs, stimulate innovation, mitigate climate change, and generate financial returns while safeguarding the natural capital that economies depend on. Effective governance, sustained funding, and innovative underwater technology are identified as key enablers, positioning the EU Nature Restoration Regulation as an investment in Europe’s resilience and prosperity.