Coral reef restoration science has grown globally over the last decade. Concurrent with science and technological development, there is a need for a robust regulatory and governance landscape for restoration to succeed. Interventions challenge regulators, permitters, marine park managers and legislators. The unique and innovative approaches, such as solar engineering, requires a longer-term vision to help prepare for regulatory adjustments in a small window of opportunity.
Australia is not alone in building coral restoration regulatory capacity. Many countries are building capacity in regulatory and governance to enable restoration science and other climate change mitigation and adaptation regulation. No more so than the USA and the Restoring Resilient Reefs Act of 2021 and Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act of 2021, both currently before house committees. This presentation explores the regulatory implications of proposed interventions worldwide to identify opportunities for cross-cutting programs, co-design, funding, and shared knowledge. The regulatory environment will be critical in determining the feasibility of reef restoration and adaptation interventions- what and how to restore and who should be responsible for, engaged in, and benefit from restoration.