INTRODUCTION

The Marine Restoration Working Group aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange amongst the network of experts and stakeholders dedicated to the restoration of marine environments, particularly focusing on the deep sea and on coastal habitats in its initial stages.

Consisting of a core panel of experts with a depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise, the MRWG is supported by a broader community of participants who can engage in meetings, online discussions and events. The MRWG will drive the development of marine restoration standards and methodologies, addressing current gaps and promoting best practices.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Marine Restoration Working Group (MRWG) aims to advance the science, practices and policies of marine ecosystem restoration (MER) in order to sustain biodiversity, improve resilience in a changing climate and re-establish ecologically healthy relationships between nature and coastal communities.

LEADERSHIP TEAM (2024-2028)

Chair
Bernadette Pogoda
Elected: 14.10.2024
AWI, marine ecology, zoology, multiple marine ecosystems and habitat types.

Vice-Chair

VACANT

Secretary

VACANT

MEMBERSHIP

WG OBJECTIVES

The 2024-5 objectives of the MRWG were agreed by the core membership at the inaugural meeting, held on the 14th October 2024.

They incorporate the general objectives for all SER WGs as outlined by the General Terms of Reference.

Whilst specificities are yet to be determined, the following objectives have been agreed:

  1. To co-author a position paper on Marine Ecosystem Restoration that integrates lessons learned from ongoing global projects. The paper will identify and articulate common principles that align with the forthcoming national restoration plans and relevant legislation, aiming to inform stakeholders and support the implementation of restoration initiatives.
  1. Adapt the SER 5* System for the marine environment by conducting a comparative analysis of its application in MER. This will include identifying specific restoration actions and documenting practical examples of the system’s implementation, aiming to provide recommendations for enhancing its effectiveness in marine restoration efforts.
  2. Facilitate the exchange of knowledge on the implementation of the National Restoration Law (NRL) across member states, with a focus on the preparation of national restoration plans, inviting key individuals from key member states to present relevant information and best practices, with the goal of identifying areas requiring restoration and estimating the “restorability” of these habitats.
  1. Conduct an inventory of existing marine restoration guidelines and interventions across European countries to prioritise effective marine restoration strategies. This process will involve assessing the current landscape of marine restoration practices, identifying gaps in basic scientific knowledge, and evaluating existing or proposed mechanisms for prioritisation. The findings will be used to develop comprehensive marine restoration guidelines and recommendations tailored to target audiences, including practitioners and policymakers, while also identifying new restoration practices that can be implemented at scale. This initiative aims to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, ultimately strengthening the collective understanding and effectiveness of marine restoration efforts across the region.
  2. Contribute to a comprehensive economic assessment framework for marine restoration that evaluates costs, benefits, financing, and funding mechanisms. This assessment will integrate insights and findings from the CLIMAREST and REDRESS projects, as well as other relevant marine restoration initiatives. The framework aims to provide actionable recommendations for stakeholders to enhance funding strategies and investment in marine restoration efforts.

And, from Autumn 2025: the Marine Restoration Working Group (MRWG) accepts the responsibility for providing regular reviews and content updates to the Marine Restoration Toolbox, an output of the CLIMAREST project, which will be transferred to the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) in August 2025.

SEE ALSO

The MRWG has been established with an initial focus on driving forwards the restoration of deep sea and coastal habitats.

Many members from the SERE network, and the Consortia of the CLIMAREST and REDRESS projects have already registered interest in the group.

THE MARINE RESTORATION TOOLBOX

The Marine Restoration Toolbox (MRT) is an output of the EU Mission Restore our Oceans and Waters by 2030 project, CLIMAREST, and is currently under development.

The MRT is an online platform aimed at marine restoration practitioners, government representatives and researchers, who are searching for scientifically validated methodologies, blueprints and resources which will help them in their restoration actions. It will also host a virtual laboratory where tools and code, hosted on BlueCloud can be accessed and manipulated to provide a greater insight into restoration actions before or during their undertaking.

The MRT will be available here, hosted by the Society for Ecological Restoration in their Restoration Resource Centre. More information to follow!

CONTACT

If you want to join the MRWG, or have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Sahar Stevenson-Jones (sahar.stevenson-jones@ser-europe.org), Marine Restoration Project Officer for the Society for Ecological Restoration Europe, as appointed by the Programme Office.

You can also register your interest by filling out this form.

Last updated: SSJ, August 2024