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New Jersey is home to at least 28 aquaculture farms with total sales estimated at $5.8 million. These farms are diverse, producing sport and game fish, foodfish and molluscan shellfish. New Jersey has the second highest number of molluscan farms in the Northeast and ranks third in sales from those farms. In addition, those 16 farms account for an estimated $3.3 million in sales. The total acreage of aquatic farms in New Jersey is 1,466 of which 1,402 are saltwater and 64 are fresh water.
New Jersey is located in the second largest market for seafood products in the nation and has ready access to major transportation hubs that allow tuna harvested in the Garden State to be offered in the Tokyo market within 24 hours. These market opportunities are further expanded because of the cultural diversity in the region that provides outlets for a vast array of different types of fish and seafood.
However, stiff competition from other states and countries that have more business-friendly aquaculture policies has resulted in lower prices and lost markets for New Jersey's aquacultured products, especially shellfish. Although the potential exists for significant growth, investment in new or expanded operations has been significantly limited because of regulatory constraints.
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture is currently working with the industry, Rutgers University and local, state and federal agencies to develop a policy framework under the Aquaculture Development Act of 1997 that supports the growth of aquaculture in New Jersey.
In 2002, the Department worked with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to make available 25,000 Delaware Bay acres and 2,500 Atlantic coastal acres for aquaculture.
The Department developed an Aquatic Organism Health Management Plan to protect aquatic farmers, wild stocks and the environment from the introduction of pests and diseases and also drafted aquaculture management practices that focus on erosion control, storm water management and water quality to help maintain and protect the state's soil and water resources while averting a cumbersome regulatory process.
In keeping with the goals outlined in its strategic plan, the Department continues to identify strategies to ensure the economic viability of the state's aquaculture industry as well the agricultural industry as a whole.
STRATEGIES
- Streamline and Eliminate Barriers to Aquaculture Development
- Continue to work with the Department of Environmental Protection to meet the mandates established in the Aquaculture Development Act. These mandates include reviewing and revising shellfish leasing policies in order to streamline and eliminate barriers to aquaculture development, expanding the current leasing program to provide more areas for leasing and providing aquafarmers opportunities for the use of new and innovative techniques that can increase production and reduce costs.
- Continue to work with the Department of Environmental Protection to meet the mandates established in the Aquaculture Development Act. These mandates include reviewing and revising shellfish leasing policies in order to streamline and eliminate barriers to aquaculture development, expanding the current leasing program to provide more areas for leasing and providing aquafarmers opportunities for the use of new and innovative techniques that can increase production and reduce costs.
- Recommend Legislative Changes to Title 50
- Continue reviewing Title 50, a state statute that governs the shellfish industry primarily in the Delaware Bay, and work to build consensus for legislative changes that would update and simplify the law
- Continue reviewing Title 50, a state statute that governs the shellfish industry primarily in the Delaware Bay, and work to build consensus for legislative changes that would update and simplify the law
- Revise Subchapter 20
- Continue working with the Department of Environmental Protection to ensure revisions to Subchapter 20 of the New Jersey Wild Fish Regulations to facilitate and promote aquaculture development. Subchapter 20 contains regulations dealing with the importation and transport of nonindigenous species and is being reviewed and revised to include aquacultured species.
- Continue working with the Department of Environmental Protection to ensure revisions to Subchapter 20 of the New Jersey Wild Fish Regulations to facilitate and promote aquaculture development. Subchapter 20 contains regulations dealing with the importation and transport of nonindigenous species and is being reviewed and revised to include aquacultured species.
- Assist in Marketing of Aquacultured Commodities
- Promote locally grown products as distinct from, and of higher value than, the competition by establishing a Jersey Fresh brand.
- Promote locally grown fish and seafood as an integral part of a healthier, more active lifestyle.
- Work to expand the availability of aquacultured products at community farm markets and roadside markets and in ethnic communities and foodservice markets.
- Assist companies in developing value-added products to meet the demands of a changing market.
- Offer workshops on sanitation, handling, and marketing and business development.
- Promote locally grown products as distinct from, and of higher value than, the competition by establishing a Jersey Fresh brand.
- Assist in Addressing Labor Issues
- Continue the commitment to programs that support worker training, keep workers healthy and safe, and address issues such as farm labor housing.
- Support reform of policies and procedures addressing temporary agricultural worker visas at the federal and state level.
- Encourage farmers to take a pro-active approach to learning about their responsibilities at both the federal and state levels to ensure worker safety.
- Continue the commitment to programs that support worker training, keep workers healthy and safe, and address issues such as farm labor housing.
