Click on the area of the New Jersey coast that you are interested in on the map below. These figures represent the 2009 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 website.  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 2009 classifications for that portion of the state. SHELLFISH GROWING WATER CLASSIFICATION CHARTS ARE A GRAPHIC REPRESENTATION
OF THE CLASSIFICATION REGULATIONS AND ARE PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. See N.J.A.C. 7:12-1 et seq. for the full legal descriptions. The '2009 Summary' explains the most recent changes in classification; the changes can be seen in 'Chart 3' and 'Chart 10', and are described in further detail in the news section. The printed booklet of the shellfish classification charts is not available at this time, please print the area you are interested in and call 609-748-2000 with any questions.

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.

To download a GIS data file of the year 2008 Shellfish Classifications, click here.