Creating marine restoration and enhancement guidance: key considerations from a Shetland Islands case study

Key Messages:
- Restoration strategies can incorporate both active and passive approaches to support the development of a healthier and more resilient marine environment.
- Guidance on marine restoration and enhancement can encompass both marine and coastal actions to acknowledge the ecological interconnectivity of species and the impact of pressures across land, coast and sea.
- Restoration and enhancement actions that are not tailored to local contexts or lack support from industry and communities are less likely to achieve long-term success. Regional distinctiveness can include environmental characteristics as well as cultural and socio-economic conditions.
- Many ongoing activities in the marine environment can be considered a form of restoration or enhancement, yet can go unrecognised. Developing clear guidance on what constitutes marine restoration and enhancement could help acknowledge and further support these actions.
- Developing Guiding Principles for marine restoration and enhancement with local stakeholders from diverse sectors ensures an inclusive process which encompasses a wide range of perspectives, priorities, and local knowledge.