November 16, 2015

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Administrative Order - Aquaculture Registration, Commercial Harvester Training, and National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) Requirements

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP); New Jersey (NJ) participates in the NSSP as a shellfish producing, receiving, and shipping state. FDA found NJ’s Shellfish Program in non-conformance with the NSSP Model Ordinance in the 2014 Annual Program Evaluation Report (APER) of the State of New Jersey’s Shellfish Program. The non-conformance was in two areas: 1) FDA identified that NJ does not have adequate statutes/regulations to require necessary permits to perform various aquaculture activities and 2) FDA recognized that NJ has not developed, and provided to the public, a training program on the public health and safety implications of certain practices for shellfish harvesters (DEP) and certified dealers (DOH). The Department is proposing amendments, repeals, and new rules to the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules, N.J.A.C. 7:12, to bring NJ into conformance with current NSSP standards, add new permits for various growing and harvesting activities (including aquaculture), amend and update existing permits, modify the delineations of the various classification of the State’s shellfish growing waters to reflect the most current sanitary water quality testing data, and update and streamline the rules generally. To cover the interim period prior to rule adoption the Department has drafted an Administrative Order to address the major concerns of FDA highlighted in the 2014 APER.

More information can be found in the signed Administrative Order.

To register an aquaculture operation, please fill out an online form or print the PDF form.

Shellfish Harvester Training

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

January 10, 2015

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Public Notice of the Suspension of Harvest from Shellfish Beds Dangerous to Health
Navesink River, Upper Barnegat Bay, and Ludlam Bay

In accordance with N.J.S.A. 58:24-1, the Department has inspected places within the jurisdiction of the State from which oysters, clams or other shellfish are taken to be distributed or sold for use as food, for the purpose of ascertaining the sanitary conditions of such oyster and clam beds and other places. As a result of those inspections, the Department has determined that certain waters do not meet the standards for their classification as "Approved" and "Special Restricted" set forth in the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.A.C. 7:12. Accordingly, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:12- 1.5(b) and the statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A. 58:24-2 to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, the Department, as of 1/9/15, suspends the harvest of shellfish from the following waters:

Navesink River
Upper Barnegat Bay
Ludlam Bay

More information (including maps) can be found in the signed Public Notice.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

December 12, 2014

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Public Notice of the Suspension of Harvest from Shellfish Beds Dangerous to Health, Delaware Bay

In accordance with N.J.S.A. 58:24-1, the Department has inspected places within the jurisdiction of the State from which oysters, clams or other shellfish are taken to be distributed or sold for use as food, for the purpose of ascertaining the sanitary conditions of such oyster and clam beds and other places. As a result of those inspections, the Department has determined that certain waters, variously classified as Approved, Seasonally Approved, and Special Restricted, may be affected by discharges of untreated waste from compromised sewage holding tanks in the Delaware Bay coastal communities of Gandy's Beach and Money Island. Data suggest that the holding tanks have impacted near shore water quality and present a public health concern.

The Department has determined that the discharges constitute an intermittent pollution episode that may have a deleterious impact on public health. Accordingly, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:12- 1.5(a) and the statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A. 58:24-2 to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, the Department, as of 12/10/14, suspends the harvest of shellfish from the following waters:

Money Island
Gandy's Beach
Nantuxent Cove

More information (including a map) can be found in the signed Public Notice.

The Money Island/Gandy's Beach Impact Study (August 2014) is available here.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

July 18, 2014

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Administrative Order to Prohibit Commercial Shellfish Harvest from the Sedge Islands Conservation Zone (SICZ)

Pursuant to the authority at N.J.S.A. 13:1D-1 et seq. and N.J.S.A. 50:1-5, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has prohibited the commercial shellfish harvest, specifically the taking of more than 150 clams per day by any person, within the Sedge Islands Conservation Zone (SICZ), effective immediately.

More information can be found in the signed Administrative Order.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

May 8, 2014

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Administrative Order to Suspend Shellfish Harvest

In accordance with N.J.S.A. 58:24-1, the Department has inspected places within the jurisdiction of the State from which oysters, clams or other shellfish are taken to be distributed or sold for use as food, for the purpose of ascertaining the sanitary conditions of such oyster and clam beds and other places.  As a result of those inspections, the Department has determined that certain waters do not meet the standards for their classification as “Approved” set forth in the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.A.C. 7:12.  Accordingly, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:12-1.5(b) and the statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A. 58:24-2 to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, this area will be suspended for shellfish harvest as of May 7, 2014:

Delaware Bay - Jacobs Ck/Dunks Pt  (94.4 acres)

More information, including the area of suspension, can be found in the signed Administrative Order.

The 2014 Shellfish Classification Charts are available here.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

April 10, 2014

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Administrative Order to Suspend Shellfish Harvest

The Department has determined that certain waters do not meet the standards for their classification as “Special Restricted” set forth in the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.A.C. 7:12-3.  Accordingly, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:12-1.5(b) and the statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A. 58:24-2, to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, these areas will be suspended for shellfish harvest as of April 9, 2014.

More information, including the areas of suspension, can be found in the signed Administrative Order.

The 2014 Shellfish Classification Charts are available here.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

August 15, 2013

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Reopening of Oyster Harvest, Shell Rock Oyster Beds, Delaware Bay, effective 8/15/13

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order 2013-08 signed on July 19,2013, the Department suspended the oyster harvest from Shell Rock oyster beds in New Jersey waters of Delaware Bay as a result of two (2) illnesses from the naturally occurring pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Based on the results of analysis of shellfish tissue samples, the lack of additional reported illnesses, and changes in environmental factors such that the waters of the Shell Rock oyster beds are less advantageous to the growth of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the Department has determined, in consultation with U.S. Food and Drug Administration, that shellfish from the Shell Rock oyster beds in the New Jersey waters of the Delaware Bay are now safe for harvesting in accordance with Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.A.C. 7:12.

Accordingly, the Department hereby reopens the oyster harvest within Shell Rock oyster beds and the area affected by the suspension as delineated on the map, effective immediately.

The signed Administrative Order is available here.

A summary on Vibrio parahaemolyticus is available here.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

July 19, 2013

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Suspension of Oyster Harvest, Shell Rock Oyster Beds, Delaware Bay, effective 7/19/13

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, the Department is suspending the oyster harvest from Shell Rock oyster beds in the New Jersey waters of Delaware Bay effective immediately. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to harvest shellfish from this area for any purpose. The Department is suspending oyster harvest from these waters as a result of two illnesses from the naturally occurring pathogen Vibrio parahaemolyticus attributed to this growing area.

The delineation of Shell Rock oyster beds and the area affected by the suspension of harvest is available here.

The signed Administrative Order is available here .

A summary on Vibrio parahaemolyticus is available here .

The suspension shall continue until further notice. Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

April 11, 2013

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Barnegat Bay - Little Egg Harbor (all shellfish), effective 4/12/13
Full Re-Opening of of Waters to Shellfish Harvest, effective Moday 4/15/2013 (includes the waters of Raritan Bay)

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order 2012-10a signed by me on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue that the coastal waters of New Jersey are now safe for the harvesting of certain shellfish, as specified below, in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.AC. 7:12.

Accordingly, the Department hereby:

1.  Returns the following waters to their prior classification and opens them to all shellfishing effective at sunrise (6:24am) on April 12, 2013:

All of the New Jersey State waters within Barnegat Bay. 

2.  Returns all waters of the State of New Jersey to their prior classification and opens them to all shellfishing effective at sunrise (6:10am) on April 15, 2013. 

Current shellfish classification maps of New Jersey’s coastal waters can be found here.

Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order .

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Ocean County collected after Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Monmouth County collected after Hurricane Sandy

April 4, 2013

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Barnegat Bay - Waretown (all shellfish) and Little Egg Harbor (oysters only)

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order 2012-10a signed by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue, that the coastal waters of the Barnegat Bay described below are now safe for the harvesting of certain shellfish in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.AC. 7:12.

Accordingly, the Department hereby:

1. Returns the following waters to their prior classification for shellfishing:

All of the New Jersey State waters within Barnegat Bay south of a line crossing the bay starting at the mouth of the Oyster Creek (-74°10’13.06W 39°48’40.00N) to a point on Island Beach State Park (-74°05’48.66W 39°48’40.00N) to a line crossing the bay starting at the end of Tuscarora Ave (74°11'29.69"W / 39°46'01.68"N) to a point at Barnegat Inlet (lighthouse) (74°06'16.51"W / 39°45'52.60"N).  See the map.

2. Returns the following waters to their prior classification and reopens them for oyster harvesting only:

All of the New Jersey State waters within Barnegat Bay south of a line crossing the bay starting at the southern point  of the mouth of Thompsons Creek (74°18'40.42"W / 39°35'46.02"N) to a point on Long Beach Island at the end of 5th St in Beach Haven (74°14'29.70"W / 39°34'04.70"N) to Little Egg Harbor Inlet .  See the map.

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including maps).

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Ocean County collected after Hurricane Sandy

March 28, 2013

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Barnegat Bay - Barnegat Light to Beach Haven

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order 2012-10a signed by me on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue, that the coastal waters of the Barnegat Bay described below are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.AC. 7:12.

Accordingly, the Department hereby reopens the following waters and returns them to their prior classification:

All of the New Jersey State waters within Barnegat Bay south of a line crossing the bay starting at the end of Tuscarora Ave (74°11'29.69"W / 39°46'01.68"N) to a point at Barnegat Inlet (lighthouse) (74°06'16.51"W / 39°45'52.60"N) to a line crossing the bay starting at the southern point of the mouth of Thompsons Creek (74°18'40.42"W / 39°35'46.02"N) to a point on Long Beach Island at the end of 5th St in Beach Haven (74°14'29.70"W / 39°34'04.70"N) (see map).

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including a map of the area).

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Ocean County collected after Hurricane Sandy

January 29, 2013

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Central Barnegat Bay

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order 2012-10a signed by me on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue, that the coastal waters of the Barnegat Bay described below are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.AC. 7:12.

Accordingly, the Department hereby reopens the following waters and returns them to their prior classification:

All of the New Jersey State waters within Barnegat Bay south of the Route 37 bridge to a line crossing the bay starting at the mouth of the Oyster Creek (-74°10’13.06W 39°48’40.00N) to a point on Island Beach State Park (-74°05’48.66W 39°48’40.00N) (see map).

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including a map of the area).

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Ocean County collected after Hurricane Sandy

December 21, 2012

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Northern Barnegat Bay

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) at N.J.S.A. 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order  2012-10A signed by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue, that the coastal waters of the Barnegat Bay north of Route 37 Bridge are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.A.C. 7:12.  Accordingly, the Department hereby reopens the following waters and returns them to their prior classification:

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

This Order shall take effect at sunrise (7:15 A.M.) on December 21, 2012.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including a map of the area).

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Ocean County collected after Hurricane Sandy

December 14, 2012

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Sandy Hook Bay

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) at N.J.S.A. 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order  2012-10A signed by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue, that the coastal waters of Sandy Hook Bay are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.A.C. 7:12.  Accordingly, the Department hereby reopens the following waters and returns them to their prior classification:

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

This Order shall take effect at sunrise (7:12 A.M.) on December 15, 2012.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including a map of the area).

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Middlesex and Monmouth Counties collected after Hurricane Sandy

December 7, 2012

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Navesink River and Shrewsbury River

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) at N.J.S.A. 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order  2012-10A signed by the DEP Commissioner on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue, that the coastal waters of Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.A.C. 7:12.  Accordingly, the Department hereby reopens the following waters and returns them to their prior classification:

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

This Order shall take effect at sunrise (7:06 A.M.) on December 8, 2012.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including a map of the area).

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Middlesex and Monmouth Counties collected after Hurricane Sandy

November 14, 2012

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Atlantic & Cape May Counties

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A. 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order  2012-10A signed by me on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined, through monitoring of water quality and analysis of shellfish tissue, that the coastal waters of Atlantic and Cape May Counties are now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with the Shellfish Growing Water Classification rules at N.J.A.C. 7:12.  Accordingly, the Department hereby reopens the following waters and returns them to their prior classification:

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

This Order shall take effect at sunrise (6:42 A.M.) on November 15, 2012.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including a map of the area).

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Atlantic County collected after Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Cape May County collected after Hurricane Sandy

November 14, 2012

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Prohibited waters of the Atlantic Ocean for the harvest of surf clams under the Bait Program

Pursuant to statutory authority granted to the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A. 58:24-2, and to ensure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other condition that may render the shellfish dangerous to health, by Administrative Order  2012-10A signed by me on October 26, 2012, effective immediately after sunrise on October 29, 2012, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potentially degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department hereby reopens prohibited waters in the Atlantic Ocean for the harvest of surf claims under the Bait Program, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:12-9.4.  Harvesters must possess a currently valid Surf Clam Bait Permit No. 2a issued by the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring.  Surf clams harvested under this permit are for bait only, and not for human consumption.

Portions of Administrative Order Number 2012-10a signed by the commissioner on October 26, 2012, and all previous Administrative Orders or portions thereof that are inconsistent with this Order, are hereby superseded and repealed.

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order .

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View BMWM's permit program

November 11, 2012

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Partial Re-Opening of Shellfish Waters to Shellfish Harvest: Delaware Bay

Pursuant to statutory authority granted the Department of Environmental Protection at N.J.S.A. 13:1B-4 and 58:24-1 et seq., and to assure that the public health is not at risk from the consumption of shellfish which may have been subjected to pollution or other conditions which may render shellfish dangerous to health, the Department closed all waters of the State to shellfish harvest because of potential degraded water quality resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

The Department has determined through monitoring of water quality and shellfish tissue that the Delaware Bay of New Jersey is now safe for the harvesting of shellfish in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:12 et seq.  The prohibition is now lifted on the waters listed below and they are returned to their prior classification, effective sunrise on November 12, 2012.

Specifically the areas involved with this partial re-opening include:

Any questions can be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring at (609) 748-2000.

View the Administrative Order (including a map of the area) .

View BMWM's response efforts to Hurricane Sandy

View data from the Delaware Bay collected after Hurricane Sandy

October 26, 2012

NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Water Resource Management
Water Monitoring & Standards
Marine Water Monitoring

Precautionary Closure of Shellfish Beds Statewide due to anticipated heavy rainfall from Hurricane Sandy

Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin today issued an Administrative Order temporarily closing state waters to shellfish harvesting effective sunrise Monday as a precaution due to expected heavy rainfall from Hurricane Sandy.

The precautionary closure affects more than 720,000 acres of commercial shellfish beds in the state’s ocean waters and estuaries as well as all recreational harvesting. Bivalves in these beds such as clams, oysters and mussels are filter feeders that can accumulate harmful bacteria carried into waterways. 

The DEP will continue to monitor the storm’s track and will make further determinations as necessary. The harvest ban applies only to shellfish such as clams, oysters, mussels, scallops, etc. and does not apply to crustaceans, such as crabs. If the storm doesn’t hit as predicted, the administrative order will be immediately revoked.

The DEP works with the New Jersey Department of Health and U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ensure that shellfish are safely harvested in state waters. The DEP monitors, classifies and enforces shellfish regulations in 425,830 acres of estuarine beds and 295,857 acres of ocean beds.

The New Jersey Department of Health Food Safety Program regularly inspects shellfish processing plants to ensure they follow regulations that outline health and safety precautions. Shellfish samples are regularly collected from harvest areas, certified shellfish dealers and retailers for bacteriological examination.

The program oversees a certification program which requires all wholesale shellfish dealers to handle, process, and ship shellfish under sanitary conditions and maintain records verifying that the shellfish were obtained from approved areas.

To see the Administrative Order please, click here .