WWF Report Outlines Key Principles for Marine Ecosystem Restoration in the EU

A new WWF report identifies ten fundamental principles for effective ecological restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems in the European Union, framing them within the Nature Restoration Law. The report highlights the unprecedented threats to these ecosystems from habitat destruction, species loss, pollution, and climate change. With over 40% of the EU population living in coastal regions, ecological restoration is crucial for protecting communities, biodiversity, and mitigating climate impacts. The report, based on scientific literature and analysis of ongoing EU restoration projects, offers strategies for effective restoration and urges member states to incorporate the principles into their National Restoration Plans, due by September 1, 2026. A Portuguese project, Gulbenkian Blue Carbon, is conducting a feasibility study to assess restoration potential in the Tagus Estuary, aiming to develop a restoration plan that includes monitoring and addresses socio-economic factors.