As lead of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program's (RRAP) Regulatory Sub-program, the PSI Research Group examined how existing policy and regulatory arrangements could accommodate novel reef restoration and adaptation interventions. Our research scoped regulatory issues affecting research and deployment, assessed the capacity of existing policy and regulatory approaches, and identified options for strengthening regulatory readiness as the science and technologies evolved. The findings provide broader insights into the governance of emerging sustainability technologies, particularly those characterised by novelty, scientific uncertainty and evolving regulatory environments.