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

BACKGROUND The Role of ISSC The Team The Broader Community

SHELLFISH RESTORATION

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

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

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

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

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

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

IS EDUCATION THE ANSWER

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

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?

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

Supported by Contact: Dot Leonard at Sandy Macfarlane at

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