Anthony Grehan of the University of Galway represented REDRESS at the EU-wide Implementation Support Event on Strategic Planning for Nature Restoration – Marine Ecosystems, held in Dublin from 12–14 November 2025. The event brought together national authorities, researchers and supporting organisations to help Member States prepare their National Restoration Plans under the EU Nature Restoration Regulation. Anthony contributed to the working group on Effective Restoration Measures, presenting “Can novel 3D-printed artificial reefs help restore the European deep-water coral belt?” His presentation explored how innovative artificial-reef technologies could support the recovery of vulnerable deep-sea coral ecosystems, and stimulated an engaged discussion with policymakers, practitioners and researchers about how feasibility studies could be scaled up to support National Restoration Plans. Anthony’s contribution formed part of a wider programme structured around four rotating working-group themes: information needs and data gaps, effective restoration measures, favourable reference areas and condition assessment. Participants in the working-group rotations represented 21 countries, demonstrating the breadth of European engagement and the value of exchanging knowledge across national and regional boundaries. Three REDRESS researchers – Anthony Grehan, Federica Foglini (CNR) and Jordi Grinyò (CSIC) – also participated in the event’s Knowledge Market, where displays provided information on complementary European marine-restoration initiatives. Anthony presented the work of REDRESS and BIOPROTECT, while Federica and Jordi highlighted the work of the LIFE Mapper and LIFE EcoREST projects. The Knowledge Market offered an important opportunity for direct discussion, peer-to-peer exchange and the sharing of practical tools and approaches with representatives involved in implementing marine restoration across Europe.
