8^th International Conference on Shellfish Restoration

Edition 2005 :
Enhancement and sustainability of shellfish resources
Exploitation et développement durables de la ressource biologique ‘Mollusques marins’
 

Throughout the world there is a growing commitment to the restoration of degraded coastal ecosystems. Major activities of economic importance, such as aquaculture and fisheries rely on the good health of our marine ecosystems. Political pressure by shareholders in the future of the world's coastal seas has renewed public interest in preserving and enhancing coastal biological resources at all levels of government. Scientists and many volunteer organizations have developed successful programs to identify problem areas, recommend improvements, develop scientifically-based restoration tools, monitor progress and evaluate the interactions between environment and biological resources. It is now widely recognized that shellfish resources are fragile and threatened by chronic and accidental pollution, habitat alteration, toxic algal blooms, emerging diseases, invasive species and other pressures associated with ecosystem perturbations.
In this context, the 8th International Conference on Shellfish Restoration (ICSR'05) will provide an opportunity for scientists, government officials, resource managers, users, community leaders, and concerned citizens and the public to exchange information about the biology, ecology and sustainable exploitation of shellfish resources, to discuss approaches to restore coastal shellfish ecosystems through management, enhancement, and restoration efforts, and to share innovative management, ecological, and social approaches toward the restoration of degraded shellfish habitat and the improvement of coastal ecosystem health.