Restoring coastal ecosystems through connected habitats

Description

The Shoal Bay Seascape Restoration Project is a three-year collaborative research initiative investigating how restoring connected coastal habitats including seagrass meadows, oyster reefs and mangroves, can deliver greater environmental benefits than restoring each habitat in isolation.

Based at Shoal Bay on Facing Island near Gladstone, the project combines scientific research, Traditional Owner knowledge, community participation and practical restoration activities to develop evidence-based approaches that strengthen the health and resilience of coastal ecosystems.

The project commenced in 2026 and is part of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation's ten-year Reef Islands Initiative, supported through funding from the Australian Government, Queensland Government and industry partners.

Impact

The Shoal Bay Seascape Restoration Project aims to improve understanding of how connected coastal habitats support one another, helping inform more effective restoration practices across the Great Barrier Reef.

The research is expected to deliver practical, scalable restoration approaches that improve coastal resilience, support marine biodiversity, enhance water quality and increase blue carbon storage while strengthening partnerships with Traditional Owners and local communities.

Partners

• CQUniversity Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC)
• Great Barrier Reef Foundation
• Gidarjil Development Corporation
• OzFish Unlimited
• Griffith University
• Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation
• First Nations Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, Taribelang Bunda People Development Corporation (FNBGGGTBPDC)