Seafood and Aquaculture
The Fish and Seafood Development Program and the Office of Aquaculture Coordination in the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) serve the needs of the producer and consumer communities in the Garden State.
- Fish and Seafood Development
The Fish and Seafood Development Program assists the commercial fishing industry to develop viable business plans, innovative marketing concepts, export strategies and value-added processing technologies. The Program addresses public education concerns through the development of information on safe handling of seafood as well as the benefits of seafood consumption. The Program has been successful in obtaining research funds from the United States Department of Agriculture to address regional and national issues in seafood marketing.
More information can be found on the NJDA's Jersey Seafood website at: www.jerseyseafood.nj.gov/industry.html
- Office of Aquaculture Coordination
The Office of Aquaculture Coordination has developed an aquaculture policy framework consisting of the Aquatic Farmer License Program, a set of agricultural management practices, an aquatic organism health management plan and an import protocol for finfish that helps to ensure that aquaculture development in New Jersey is both environmentally sound and business friendly. Currently, the Program licenses over 160 finfish, shellfish, and aquatic plant producers in the State.
The Program provides technical, regulatory, and marketing assistance to both current and prospective aquaculturists. Through the Aquaculture Advisory Council, the NJDA works with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, New Jersey Commerce and Economic Growth Commission, academic research institutions and the industry to address issues technical, regulatory and marketing concerns. The Program also works closely with the National Association of State Aquaculture Coordinators to address National issues of concern to the aquaculture industry.
Program details can be found on the NJDA's Jersey Seafood website at: www.jerseyseafood.nj.gov/aquaculture.html
- Contacts
Linda O'Dierno
Coordinator, Fish and Seafood Development Program
Linda.odierno@ag.state.nj.us
Phone: 609-984-6757
Fax: 609-633-7229
Joseph J. Myers
Aquaculture Development Specialist
Joseph.Myers@ag.state.nj.us
Phone: 609-984-2502
Fax: 609-633-7229
