In the 1970s and 1980s the United States and Canadian governments recognized the decline in the quality of their coastal waters. Both NOAA’s National Ocean Service and Environment Canada developed programs assessing declines and developing methods to restore once productive estuaries. Word spread throughout coastal communities and soon there was a cadre of scientists, community members, shellfish industry participants, and government representatives who shared concerns about coastal quality and declining resources and needed a forum in which to exchange ideas and talk about solutions. 

Anxious to turn the tide on declining environmental quality, a small group of government, industry and community representatives came together in 1995 to plan the first International Conference on Shellfish Restoration (ICSR) held on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina in 1996. The first ICSR was designed to recognize the importance of shellfish as indicators of environmental quality and to examine how the health of coastal ecosystems could be improved through shellfish restoration. Many of the early conferences included expanded sessions on oyster diseases, especially in Chesapeake Bay. 

The second conference returned to Hilton Head in 1998 where over 200 scientists, resource managers, and government officials met to consider how community, regional, national and international partnerships can help the shellfish restoration process. The focus was on successful techniques and how they could be applied to multiple estuaries. 

Expansion to Europe - ICSR conference in Ireland and broadening the agenda

In October 1999, the ICSR conference was held in Cork, Ireland, where it took on a European dimension, with the agenda broadened to include non-molluscan shellfish, such as sea urchin and lobsters. The emphasis throughout the conference was on the marriage of science and management. While highlighting shellfish as a valuable coastal resource, ICSR Europe also addressed important new restoration topics, such as artificial reefs, interactions with birds, the carrying capacity of bays, red tides, and the genetic implications of sea ranching. ICSR returned to Hilton Head in 2000 and, on the heels of that successful meeting, the ICSR continued an international tradition with a Canadian version held in Nanaimo, British Columbia in September 2001. 

The Canadian meeting showcased the importance of shellfish to the First Nations from the perspective of traditional use and current practice. The field trips, which have become an integral part of the ICSR program, showcased the farming techniques of two shellfish farms: Fanny Bay Oyster and Odyssey Companies. The major social event was The Traditional Feast of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

There is a unique quality to the ICSR meetings in the US …the lengthy breaks and social events. At most large conferences the audience is talked to by numerous scientists and students. Participants often rush from room to room, from one concurrent session to the next, trying to catch as many presentations as possible. A quick nod in the hallway or a moment or two at the coffee table is the extent of impromptu social interactions. At the ICSR, the coffee breaks, box lunches, and evening social events take center stage. On center stage often are its shellfish musicians, ranging from saxophone to drums to guitar and violin. Attendees dance as though no one is watching and eat as many oysters as they can possibly manage. Is it fun? You betcha! … And much of the collaborations between scientists, natural resource managers, and community activists begin in these settings. 

In 2002, ICSR moved to Charleston, South Carolina, one of the most beautiful coastal cities in the United States. The conference hotel was situated right in the middle of the historic downtown area, a neighborhood replete with gift shops and excellent restaurants. Heated discussions took place on the role of exotic species in coastal estuaries, fueled by the potential introduction of the “Chinese” oyster, Crassostrea ariakensis, into the Chesapeake Bay. The field trips held prior to the meeting comprised a visit to Capers Island, a South Carolina Heritage Preserve, and the ICSR Golf Tournament. Attendees almost froze to death at the traditional oyster roast, but kept warm with the hot debates and dancing. Charleston remained the location for the ICSR held in the US in even years. The social traditions remained constant but the focus of the meeting shifted topics, ranging from the measurements (metrics) of success, to community efforts in reef construction, to shellfish repletion and restoration of indigenous species such as the Olympia oyster, Ostrea lurida. In contrast to the US meetings the ICSR in Europe covered many of the relevant scientific topics related to molluscan shellfish. For example, the 2005 meeting in Brest, France had concurrent sessions that ranged from genetics, pathology, hatcheries and fisheries management to shellfish-ecosystem linkages and the socio-economic, policy, outreach and education aspects of shellfish/habitat restoration. 

On November 12-16, 2007, the ICSR was held in Vlissingen, the Netherlands. Titled “Innovation in the Exploitation and Management of Shellfish Resources” the Dutch program received over 200 abstracts covering recruitment (spatfall dynamics and management), ecosystem-based management (carrying capacity, integrated multitrophic aquaculture, etc.), stakeholder involvement and related management, (shellfish nature-based conservation, international legislation, education, etc.), and novel technologies for offshore shellfish aquaculture, hatcheries and nurseries. The Co-Chairs, Aad Smaal and Jeroen Wjisman were asked about their program and why the European programs are so scientific in nature. Both Aad and Jeroen commented that the ICSR is the only shellfish forum in Europe (at that time), whereas in the US there are annual meetings include National Shellfisheries Association meeting, as well as many others (e.g., RAE, BEM, CERF) which now have a large percentage of international members, and cover many of the scientific issues related to molluscan shellfish, as well as biannual meetings such as the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, which covers all aspects of water quality and public health. 

Following the very successful meeting in the Netherlands,the 2008 ICSR was held again in Charleston, SC. The theme of that ICSR conference departed from past meetings, highlighting the roles that shellfish have played in ‘society’, ranging from the coastal tribal nations in the U.S. to the Maori in New Zealand, and from the early settlers in Brittany to Canada’s First Nations. Speakers discussed “Shellfish and Society” issues, including the current role of shellfish in past cultures, and how that relates to issues such as community stewardship and education. 

It is well recognized that molluscan shellfish (food source and the shells) has been the "glue" that has held First Peoples communities together and formed tight bonds of cooperation. The 2009 ICSR was hosted by our Canadian partners in beautiful Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The collaborative effort amongst industry, scientists and managers shaped the program around the theme of "Healthy Coastal Environments for Successful Shellfish Restoration". It was fitting that this conference took place at Prince Edward Island as both government and industry have been involved in the restoration, and enhancement of both public oyster grounds and aquaculture for more than 35 years. Prince Edward Island restoration practitioners have employed many of the techniques developed for shellfish enhancement and restoration used around the world. The efforts of the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Association to enhance its oyster and mussel fisheries, while also restoring their related habitat were a most welcome success story. 

ICSR'10 in Charleston was an opportunity to celebrate the 25th year as the first ICSR was held on Hilton Head Island in 1986. Hence, the highlighted theme for ICSR’10 was progress made on shellfish restoration over the past 25 years, including how these efforts have shaped the role of shellfish restoration into the future. Presentations addressed “Past, Present, and Future” directions towards shellfish restoration efforts, including how this rich history relates to community stewardship, public awareness, as well as education. This meeting was close in time to a major oil spill (DWH) in the Gulf of Mexico that impacted oyster reefs, and the related industry that depended upon them. In response to this disaster the Conference included special sessions on the situation, and responses to the oil spill among states on shellfish and shellfish habitats. The organizers recognized the tragedy that had befallen shellfish resources, and the related industries they supported in the Gulf region; a focus was to elicit the best information to assist cleanup as well as future restoration efforts.

There is a greater need than ever for the enhancement of our coastal habitats and associated ecosystems through restoration. Initially in the US, but now worldwide, bivalve restoration for ecosystem services has greatly expanded. Not only does the public have a keen interest in restoring water quality to shellfish growing areas, but the aquaculture industry is focused on advancing the quality assurance and safety of aquaculture products. Shellfish habitats are often nursery as well as feeding grounds for many commercial, recreational, and important food chain species. 

In many cases formerly extensive bivalve- dominated fisheries are nearly extirpated. These areas are even more difficult to enhance/restore as larval supply as well as substrates are quite limited. Additionally, the demand for protein from the sea is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades, and the industry will need new approaches as well as sites with excellent water quality. Additionally, many novel uses of the oceans include offshore energy generation, mining, development, as well as loss of access by fisherman. New restoration efforts also are creating sanctuaries that are source of larvae, but limit harvesting. Shell as cultch is also limiting so alternative substrates will be even more important. One of the goals of the ICSR Conferences is to provide a forum through its worldwide gatherings to draw attention to molluscan shellfish, shellfish water quality, and related issues, and to foster partnerships and the exchange of information to further the science of shellfish restoration (including freshwater bivalves), and aquaculture.