CREW has published a report on the effect of shellfish, kelp and sea grass beds on flood risk and coastal erosion in Scotland. The report was written by a team of scientists from Heriot Watt University. The project aimed to evaluate how well selected shallow marine habitats (specifically kelp forests, seagrass beds, oyster reefs and blue mussel beds) protect the Scottish coastline from erosion and flooding. Consequently, a secondary aim was to assess the need and feasibility for protection and/or restoration of these habitats in relation to their potential role in Natural Flood Management (NFM) and erosion control.