1. SHELLFISH RESTORATION BEST PRACTICES DOT LEONARD SANDY MACFARLANE Supported by ISSC, The Nature Conservancy and NOAA Restoration Center

2. BACKGROUND The Role of ISSC The Team The Broader Community

3. SHELLFISH RESTORATION

4. WHY RESTORATION? Substantial decline all shellfish species in all ecoregions of the earth Habitat degradation (globally 85% of oyster reefs are lost)* Continued development pressures on land leading to degraded water quality *TNC: Shellfish Reefs at Risk

5. RESTORATION LANDSCAPE Pilot projects = limited effects Few successful stock enhancements Low funding level Minimal project visibility Few people participate except in community action programs High level of awareness for participants

6. WHAT ARE BMP’S (or BAP’s)? Set of guiding principles Specific actions for specific issues Implemented strategies to preserve environment Usually voluntary, possible “peer pressure” Sometimes regulatory No verification

7. WHY BMPs FOR RESTORATION? Currently no guidelines in place Many diverse players Inconsistent agendas States differ in their restoration requirements Consistent educational component missing Potential conflict with NSSP Ineffective communication among participants and regulators

8. TWO SIDES OF THE COIN Restoration Benefits –Provides ecosystem services Uptake and cycling of nutrients Erosion/sedimentation control by reefs Additional habitat for estuarine species Increased biodiversity –Provides opportunities for community action programs –Water quality improvements –Provides educational programs –Expands potential for food production and jobs

9. TWO SIDES OF THE COIN Regulatory Issues –Some restoration activities occur in unclassified and unapproved areas –Potential for harvest of illegal stock/bootlegging –Requires increased resources for enforcement –Requires surveillance of all planted shellfish To ensure that only commercially approved shellfish reaches market To ensure that shellfish grown in unapproved areas is not directly consumed

10. IS EDUCATION THE ANSWER

11. EDUCATION PROGRAMS What are the educational needs of restoration specialists and oyster gardeners? Should be familiar with relevant regulations/NSSP to understand shellfish sanitation requirements Must know who is responsible and how shellfish water quality is monitored and classified Shellfish biology Shellfish pests/diseases Human diseases

12. EDUCATION PROGRAMS What will they look like? Who will provide the education? Where does Sea Grant and Cooperative Extension fit into the picture? Will education programs satisfy regulators?

13. BMP’s Create bridges and develop constructive dialog Identify issues and regional differences Identify underlying factors creating the issues Identify commonalities, differences and areas of agreement Describe potential solutions

14. Supported by Contact: Dot Leonard at 410-626-7206 msmussel@oceanequities.orgmsmussel@oceanequities.org Sandy Macfarlane at 508-255-5618 sandymac@capecod.net

15. Environmentalists say shutdown of N.J. oyster beds could have detrimental effects Published: Sunday, June 13, 2010, 5:30 AM Updated: Saturday, June 12, 2010, 7:10 PM