ECSGA supports community-based shellfish restoration projects because of the environmental services they provide and the educational opportunities they present.  Research indicates that large populations of restored filter-feeding shellfish can improve water quality, improve habitat value and remove excess nutrients from sensitive coastal habitats.  In addition to these tangible benefits, well-designed restoration projects have strong educational components that raise awareness about water-quality issues and the important role of shellfish in coastal ecosystems.  Raising public awareness is a critical step towards improving degraded water quality, which is one of our top priorities.

For more information about shellfish restoration:

• Read the ECSGA's shellfish restoration policy position.
• Visit the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference Shellfish Restoration page.
• Read Best Management Practices for Shellfish Restoration, prepared for the ISSC Shellfish Restoration Committee by Dorothy Leonard and Sandra Macfarlane in October 2011.
• Information on the annual International Conference on Shellfish Restoration can be found on the South Carolina SeaGrant website (search for ICSR).  On alternate years the venue switches from Charleston, S.C., to an overseas locale.
• Visit NOAA's oyster reef habitat restoration website.