September 26, 2012 — Christie Administration officials have visited an oyster production area in the US Delaware Bay, made possible by a joint effort of the New Jersey Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection.
The oyster production by private businesses is taking place in what’s called Aquaculture Development Zone – 4. Aquaculture Development Zones (ADZ) were a key recommendation in the Aquaculture Development Plan Update, Opportunities and Potential for Aquaculture in New Jersey, released by the Department of Agriculture and the state Aquaculture Advisory Council last December.
“An increase in aquaculture production will mean more jobs and more revenue for the state,” said Secretary Fisher. “What is being produced in Aquaculture Development Zones from our coastal waters can be marketed as a local product with the Jersey Seafood logo, much like Jersey Fresh for our farmers’ produce. By identifying these products in the marketplace, they can meet the demand by consumers for local products.”
The four Aquaculture Development Zones were established six years ago but have not been in use until now, due to uncertainty over permitting. Through the commitment of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Shellfisheries and the New Jersey Shellfisheries Council, much of the regulatory uncertainty has now been removed.
“The DEP has been working hand-in-hand with the Department of Agriculture to apply common sense strategies to improve the Delaware Bay oyster industry, which generates some $20 million for the bay region’s economy,” DEP Commissioner Bob Martin said. “Advancing the economic viability of these Aquaculture Development Zones will help protect this industry, enhance ecological protection of the Delaware Bay, and is a win for all of New Jersey.”
Oyster bars are seeing a resurgence in the American culinary scene. ADZ-4, along the Cape Shore, expands the oyster production techniques that produce gourmet oysters for the half-shell raw bar market. Twelve individuals have secured leases and are currently in production in ADZ-4.