The People Behind ISRS
Our Mission
To build community, facilitate communication, and promote innovation within the shellfish restoration community worldwide.
Our Vision
A future where healthy shellfish ecosystems support resilient coasts, thriving marine life, and sustainable communities across the globe.
Our Story
Since 1996, the International Conference on Shellfish Restoration (ICSR) has served as a landmark gathering for the global shellfish restoration community. What began as a meeting of passionate scientists and practitioners has grown into a worldwide movement, bringing together diverse voices and perspectives to advance the science and practice of shellfish restoration.
In 2024, we took an important step forward by establishing the International Shellfish Restoration Society (ISRS) as a dedicated non-profit organization. This transition reflects our community's growth and the increasing importance of shellfish restoration in addressing coastal ecosystem challenges. By creating a permanent organizational home for ICSR and related initiatives, we're better positioned to support collaboration, innovation, and impact in shellfish restoration worldwide.
Board
Katie Mosher is the Senior Director of Programs at the Billion Oyster Project, where she leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to restoring oyster reefs in New York Harbor through large-scale habitat projects and educational initiatives.
Dorothy L. Leonard (Dot)
Dot is an internationally recognized shellfish restoration expert with over 30 years of experience in aquaculture and coastal resource management. During her 20-year NOAA career, she served as Commerce Department representative on the U.S. Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture and managed the National Shellfish Register. As Maryland's Director of Fisheries, she developed the state's Oyster Restoration Program for Chesapeake Bay. Dot has co-chaired the International Conference on Shellfish Restoration for nearly three decades and currently serves as president of Ocean Equities, LLC.
Katie Mosher
Katie Mosher is the Senior Director of Programs at the Billion Oyster Project, where she leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to restoring oyster reefs in New York Harbor through large-scale habitat projects and educational initiatives.
Katie Mosher
Katie Mosher is the Senior Director of Programs at the Billion Oyster Project, where she leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to restoring oyster reefs in New York Harbor through large-scale habitat projects and educational initiatives.
Simon Branigan
Simon is Marine Restoration Manager for The Nature Conservancy Australia, overseeing the Tasmanian Giant Kelp Restoration Project and Reef Builder initiative. He co-authored Restoration Guidelines for Shellfish Reefs and founded the award-winning "Shuck Don't Chuck" shell recycling project. Simon brings 25 years of conservation experience across marine, terrestrial, and policy work.
Tristan has been actively farming oysters for more than 30 years and he and his brother operate 22 Ostrea edulis breeding ponds in the North Channel of Cork Harbour. He also runs the Loch Ryan wild oyster fishery in SW Scotland. Tristan is on the Board of the European Native Oyster Restoration Alliance, NORA, and is on the Council of the Shellfish Association of Great Britain.
Katie Mosher
Katie Mosher is the Senior Director of Programs at the Billion Oyster Project, where she leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to restoring oyster reefs in New York Harbor through large-scale habitat projects and educational initiatives.
Katie Mosher
Katie Mosher is the Senior Director of Programs at the Billion Oyster Project, where she leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to restoring oyster reefs in New York Harbor through large-scale habitat projects and educational initiatives.
Katie Mosher
Katie Mosher is the Senior Director of Programs at the Billion Oyster Project, where she leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to restoring oyster reefs in New York Harbor through large-scale habitat projects and educational initiatives.
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