Coastal Restoration Fund

The Coastal Restoration Fund was a part of the national Oceans Protection Plan that launched in May 2017 and ended in March 2022. The fund  provided a total of $75 million over 5 years to support projects that helped to restore coastal aquatic habitats. In July 2022, it was renewed and expanded as the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund.

Purpose

The fund addressed threats to marine habitats and species located on Canada's coasts and supported efforts that:

• contributed to strategic planning as well as identifying and responding to restoration priorities
• rehabilitated aquatic habitats
• contributed to long-term sustainability
• encouraged and built local community capacity

It also engaged Indigenous and community groups, as well as academics and non-profit organizations in undertaking:

• planning
• restoration
• capacity building
• monitoring
• reporting activities
• the mitigation of stressors affecting aquatic habitats and marine life

Nation-wide map of projects

The following map displays where all the approved projects were located in Canada.

Program outcomes

The fund provided opportunities for participants to:

• contribute to the design and delivery of coastal restoration projects
• promote economic opportunities
• address threats to marine life
• enhance marine and coastal habitats

Funded projects

The initial launch of the program fund was a success with funded projects totaling approximately $55 million. All approved projects included Indigenous involvement in their planning or implementation.

In total, we received 163 expressions of interest, requesting a total of over $310 million. All projects received were assessed for funding based on the program's criteria, which evaluated a project's:

• methodology
• sustainability
• biological value
• potential impact

Contact us

Questions about the fund can be submitted to your regional contact.

Related links

• Protecting oceans
• Projects near water
• Oceans Protection Plan
• Coastal Restoration Fund standards and targets