INTERNATIONAL SHELLFISH RESTORATION

• International Conference on Shellfish Restoration (ICSR)

Ashley Roulston of Industrial Plankton attended the 18th International Conference on Shellfish Restoration (ICSR’16) in Charleston, South Carolina. She was joined by shellfish restoration experts, resource managers, farmers, community groups, and NGOs.

ICSR provides a forum that fosters the partnerships, initiatives, and exchange of information necessary to further the science and practice of shellfish restoration efforts around the world.

 

The program theme:

Twenty years have passed since the first International Conference on Shellfish Restoration (ICSR) was held on Hilton Head Island, S.C. Since then, a great deal of work has been directed at the restoration and enhancement of shellfish populations worldwide, leading to new challenges and innovative techniques. A growing number of community groups and private enterprises are dedicated to shellfish restoration and these pioneers are benefitting from healthier communities as a result of more abundant shellfish populations. Therefore, the highlighted theme for ICSR’16 is ”Celebrating and Inspiring Healthy Coastal Communities.” We strongly encourage participation by community groups and private enterprises, as well as scientists, educators, and resource managers. This year, the ICSR’16 program will feature working sessions, case studies, and oral and poster presentations. All sessions will be presented in English.

International Conference on Shellfish Restoration Goals

The goal of ICSR’16 is to foster partnerships to further the exchange and application of science-based information in support of public and private restoration and aquaculture.

For shellfish restoration to be successful, we must overcome challenges that stand in the way of progress, integrate new approaches that are economical and sustainable, and identify ways we can share the latest in science-based information, recent experiences, and successful technologies with each other and the broader public. With this in mind, six themes have been identified for this year’s conference:

1. Policies, Regulations, and Permitting: Addressing Barriers to Restoration Success;
2. Documenting Goods and Services Provided by Shellfish Populations and Their Habitats;
3. Creating Long-Term Positive Outcomes for Coastal Communities and Their Citizens through Shellfish Restoration;
4. Ecological, Social, and Economic Impacts of Restored Shellfish Populations;
5. Understanding the Effects of a Changing Climate on Shellfish Restoration;
6. Small-Scale and Large-Scale Restoration: Lessons Learned and Practical Advice.

The conference included an unforgettable dinner at the historic Bowen Island restaurant. See the photos below: