Click on the area of the New Jersey coast that you are interested in on the map below. These figures represent the 2007 State Regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:12).

Each year, the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring collects over 14,000 water samples and analyzes these samples at its laboratory facilities in Leeds Point, NJ. In addition, bureau staff regularly perform field surveys of the coastal shoreline to monitor any actual or potential pollution sources. This information is reviewed each year in order to update the classification of the state's coastal waters for shellfish harvest. Reports on this information can be found in the Reports section of this web site.  These classifications are performed to maintain New Jersey's compliance with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program and to maintain the state's excellent record of safe shellfish harvest.

To review these classifications, click on a portion of the map or the side bar to see the 2007 classifications for that portion of the state. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL MAPS ARE PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY.  For further details and legal descriptions of the areas where harvesting is illegal, please refer to the State Regulations at N.J.A.C. 7:12. A valid shellfish license (commercial or recreational) is required for any shellfish harvesting in New Jersey and shellfish permits are required for commercial harvesting. 

For more information on a shellfish harvesting license and other regulations (such as size limits), contact the New Jersey Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife, Bureau of Shellfisheries at (609) 748-2040 or visit their web page.

To download a GIS data file of the year 2007 Shellfish Classifications, click here.