ICSR2026

The Global Gathering for Shellfish Restoration

The 2026 International Conference on Shellfish Restoration will bring together 300+ practitioners from 25+ countries for three days of cutting-edge research, practical workshops, and invaluable networking at the Little Creek Resort in Shelton, Washington, on the ancestral lands of the Squaxin Island Tribe. Wherever you work — the Gulf Coast, the Chesapeake, Europe, Australia, or Asia — this is where the global shellfish restoration community comes together.

ICSR2026 will explore the intersection of Indigenous knowledge, climate resilience, and modern restoration science, with keynotes and panels from four Indigenous Nations across three continents — Squaxin Island Tribe, Suquamish Tribe, Halalt First Nation, and Dunghutti Nation — opening with a Welcoming Address from Chairman Kris Peters of the Squaxin Island Tribe. Sessions span the full breadth of restoration-relevant shellfish — from Pacific and eastern oysters to Olympia oysters, clams, mussels, and freshwater mussels — ensuring that practitioners working across all species and regions will find their work represented in the program.

Conference Theme: Engaging Communities, Collaborating with Knowledge Holders,
and Advancing Restorative Aquaculture

Why Travel to ICSR 2026?

The challenges facing shellfish restoration in your region are being solved — or have already been solved — somewhere else in the world. ICSR is where that knowledge gets shared.

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A Truly Global Program

Presenters and practitioners from 25+ countries, including strong representation from the East Coast, Gulf Coast, and West Coast of the U.S., as well as Europe, Australia, and the Indo-Pacific. Wherever you work, your peers will be in the room.

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Knowledge You Can't Get at Home

14 thematic sessions covering genetics and biosecurity, substrate innovation, urban restoration, freshwater mussels, seascape-scale ecology, and more — across every shellfish-bearing coast on earth.

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Indigenous-Led Science

Four Indigenous keynote speakers from four nations across three continents, plus two full Indigenous-led sessions — a structural commitment to centering Traditional Ecological Knowledge, not just acknowledging it.

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Easy to Get To

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is a major hub with direct flights from across the US and internationally. Shelton is 90 minutes away — and October in the Pacific Northwest is spectacular.

Key Dates

Registration

Now Open ✓

Submit Abstract

by June 12 →

300-word max · oral, poster, or lightning · July notification

Final Program Posted

July 10

Early Bird Ends

Sept 1

Hotel Block Deadline

Sept 4

Conference

Oct 4–7

View full dates, hotel booking & travel details →

Keynote & Welcoming Speakers

Welcoming Address — Monday, Oct. 5

Chairman Kris Peters

Squaxin Island Tribe

Kristopher K. Peters has served as Chairman of the Squaxin Island Tribal Council since 2020, leading a nation whose identity, culture, and economy have been inseparable from shellfish for thousands of years.

Keynote Address — Tuesday, Oct. 6

Chairman Leonard Forsman

Suquamish Tribe

Leonard Forsman has served as Chairman of the Suquamish Tribe since 2005, guiding the Tribe's work to restore and protect the health of the Salish Sea.

Keynote Speaker — Monday, Oct. 5

Nicole (Coly) Norris

Halalt First Nation, British Columbia

Ala̱g̱a̱mił Nicole "Coly" Norris is a member of the Xeáltxw, Halalt First Nation, and one of the most respected Indigenous knowledge holders working in Pacific Northwest shellfish and clam garden restoration.

Keynote Speaker — Tuesday, Oct. 6

Dr. Mitchell Gibbs

Dunghutti Nation, University of Sydney

Dr. Mitchell Gibbs is a Dunghutti man and postdoctoral researcher in geosciences at the University of Sydney, working at the intersection of Traditional Knowledge and Western science to restore shellfish reefs.

What to Expect

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Cutting-Edge Research

Oral presentations and lightning talks on oyster dynamics, habitat monitoring, urban restoration, species interactions, reef structures, and climate adaptation

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Hands-On Workshops

Interactive sessions on restoration planning, monitoring protocols, community engagement, traditional knowledge, funding, and data analysis

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Field Sessions

Guided, site-based learning at restoration sites, working farms, a conservation hatchery, the Squaxin Island Museum, and South Sound waterways, led by regional scientists and practitioners. Shuttle provided.

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Indigenous Leadership

Keynotes and sessions centering Indigenous communities, clam garden restoration, traditional ecological knowledge, and Tribal stewardship

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Continuing Education Credits

ICSR 2026 is pre-approved for up to 10 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) through the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) CERP program.

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Arrive Early: 45th Annual Oyster Fest

October 3–4 in Shelton, WA — right before ICSR 2026. World champion oyster shucking competition, seafood feast, local art, and music. Shuttles available from Little Creek Casino Resort.

Learn More →

🐚 Bring a Shell from Your Waters

We invite all attendees to bring one or more shells of native shellfish from your home waters. Label each shell with the species and location. All shells will be displayed in a woven kelp basket — a collective, global symbol of the shellfish we are working to restore.

Please ensure shells are thoroughly dry-cured and free of organic material.

Early-Career & Emerging Professionals

ISRS and the ICSR 2026 host committee welcome students, early-career researchers, Indigenous practitioners, and scientists in professional transition.

Student rate $300 with valid ID
We are actively exploring mechanisms to support travel and registration for attendees with limited institutional resources. If cost is a barrier to your attendance, please email inbox@shellfish-society.org — we want to hear from you.
Questions welcome at any time