Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way, Esq.
NJ Home | Services A to Z | Departments/Agencies | FAQs  
State of New Jersey-Department of Environmental Protection-Division of Water Monitoring and Standards
State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
DEP Home | About DEP | Index by Topic | Programs/Units | DEP Online 

Public Health
and Safety

Ecological Health








  Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring



The Central Barnegat Bay region is located in Ocean County and includes the waters of the Toms River, Cedar Creek and a large section of Barnegat Bay. There are many small tributaries that feed into the Toms River including Davenport’s Branch, Jake’s Branch, Union Branch and Wrangle Brook. This growing area includes almost 14,000 acres of marine waters. The Central Barnegat Bay growing area is bordered by the following municipalities: Seaside Park, Seaside Heights, Island Heights, South Toms River, Beachwood, Pine Beach, Ocean Gate, Berkeley Township and Lacey Township.

Status: Currently, 67.5% of this growing area is Approved for shellfish harvest year round, 7.5% is classified as Conditionally Approved (Nov.); open for shellfish harvest November through April, 14.3% is classified as Restricted; no harvesting for direct market is allowed in Restricted waters and in 10.6% of this growing area shellfish harvest is Prohibited.

Most recent Reappraisal Report

Most recent Sanitary Survey Report

Central Barnegat Bay Shellfish Classification

Click map to enlarge


Central Barnegat Bay Photo Central Barnegat Bay Photo Central Barnegat Bay Photo Central Barnegat Bay Photo

Photo Credit: NJDEP

Division: Water Monitoring and Standards Home
Department: NJDEP Home | About DEP | Index by Topic | Programs/Units | DEP Online
Statewide: NJ Home | Services A to Z | Departments/Agencies | FAQs

Copyright © State of New Jersey, 1996-2023

Last Updated: September 11, 2023