We explore bottom-up restoration pathways on the West Florida Shelf using the Gulf of America Atlantis (GOAAT) model, a biogeochemical food web model. Restoration scenarios are informed by current restoration initiatives. We integrate information on environmental conditions along with management interventions around seagrass and mangrove habitat recovery, nutrient inputs, wave energy. Statistical analysis of fish stomach content data reveals evidence of discrete foraging arenas.  Perhaps influenced by coastal hydrodynamics, this idea aligns with earlier observations of areas of concentrated prey on the outer shelf.  Spatial heterogeneity is reflected in stomach content data from fish predators accessing those arenas. Spatial heterogeneity may be meaningful for restoration planning if productive and resilient fish populations depend on access to multiple foraging arenas. For example, connectivity may be strengthened by the presence of habitat mosaics, where important habitats are in proximity potentially supporting different life stages throughout ontogeny. Habitat connectivity serves as a separate objective from biomass recovery and represents a knowledge gap in planning for coastal resilience.