The objectives of the Best Practices for Shellfish Restoration (BMPs) project were to establish methods which include protocols for educational programs and safeguards to ensure that shellfish grown in unapproved areas do not reach the market. Seven workshops held in conjunction with regional ISSC meetings and other professional shellfish management meetings, drew together stakeholders representing state regulatory agencies and public health officials, extension specialists, shellfish industry, non-government organizations, and representatives of shellfish gardening and other community action programs, to identify critical issues and solutions. Workshop results provided guidelines addressing the needs of stakeholders while establishing protocols for the biosecurity of restoration projects, including educational outreach, and to encourage consistency from state to state. A theme identified throughout the workshop sessions was the need for better planning and earlier communication. Participants suggested forming partnerships among restoration proposers, regulators, funding agencies, academic institutions and non-government organizations to promote restoration of native shellfish and ecosystem services and to conserve and restore coastal water quality. Although most regulators preferred that restoration activities be sited only in approved waters, it was agreed that activities could occur in unapproved waters but would require additional plans for the biosecurity of projects and an education component (biology, growing methods, pests, competitors, diseases and public health) for programs using volunteers.