Photo by M Polinder on Unsplash (illustrative)
On 4 December 2025, ahead of the seventh UN Environment Assembly, the United Nations named Australia's Reef Builder program a World Restoration Flagship. Led by The Nature Conservancy with the Australian Government and local communities, it rebuilds shellfish reefs along the country's coasts, partly using recycled oyster shells.
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Key facts
Between 2021 and 2023, Reef Builder rebuilt shellfish reefs at 13 locations around Australia.
About 62 hectares are under restoration, with a target of 300 hectares by 2030.
The restored reefs have removed nearly 15 tonnes of nutrient pollution and boosted fish stocks.
The work has created more than 425 jobs, over double what was expected, and supports more than 50 small and medium-sized businesses.
Why it matters
Healthy shellfish reefs help clean coastal water and support fish, and Australia's environment minister has called them natural solutions to some of the country's greatest conservation challenges. Reef Builder shows that restoring them at a national scale can improve the sea and create local jobs at the same time.
Worth noting
The restored area is still small, about 62 hectares, and even the 2030 target is 300 hectares. Long-term monitoring will show how well the new reefs persist.
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