OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY

• Review the current Shellfish Aquaculture Leasing Policy of the Atlantic Coast Section of the New Jersey Shellfisheries Council
• We encourage you to call the appropriate regional office.
• As per the Policy, you may examine an area of interest, with the proper permission to inspect, to confirm physical factors like water depth, bottom type, ease of access, etc. are all appropriate for your intended culture activity and operation.
• Additional Resource: GIS-Based Tool for Spatial Planning of Shellfish Aquaculture in New Jersey

• Apply in person at the Nacote Creek Research Station located at 360 N. New York Rd (Rt. 9) Port Republic, NJ 08241. Applications cannot be submitted online.
• Please note that only one lease application for an individual may be pending at a time, and there is a 2 acre maximum per application.
• When you apply for a lease, you must already have in your possession a Commercial Shellfish License and have completed the Harvester Training.
• The applicant must stake the proposed lease corners within six months of submitting the application. If the lease is not staked within six months, the application will be cancelled and will revert to open bottom.
• A biological assessment of the lease is required before a lease application is considered by Council per N.J.A.C. 7:25-24. The Bureau of Shellfisheries is required to perform a biological investigation to assess the area’s natural productivity. Leases are not typically issued in areas deemed to be naturally productive. This process facilitates aquaculture development while also ensuring that naturally productive areas remain available for the public.
• The biological assessment will not be completed until the ground applied for is staked and applicant notifies the Bureau. Please note that the application and biological fees are nonrefundable.

• The Atlantic Coast Section of the New Jersey Shellfisheries Council will review the lease application over the course of two consecutive Council meetings.
• Please note that the applicant must attend at least ONE of these meetings for the Council to render a final decision. If the applicant does not attend either meeting the application will be cancelled. The applicant will be notified by mail advising when the application will be discussed by the Council. Please note that the application fees are nonrefundable

• Sign a lease agreement
• Pay annual lease fees
• Pay hydrographic survey fees

Signing of the lease agreement and payment must be completed in person at the appropriate shellfish office.

Please note the Commissioner will have to formally approve the Council’s decision and sign the lease agreement.

Once all the above steps are complete, a Commercial Shellfish Lease is issued to the applicant. The Bureau of Shellfisheries will update all appropriate records and Bureau staff members will be available to assist leaseholders if they have questions regarding lease renewals and transfers.

Please be advised that even though a shellfish lease grants the leaseholder exclusive rights to the bottom for the planting, cultivating, and harvest of shellfish, a commercial shellfish aquaculture permit is required from the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring for the growing of shellfish in waters classified as Approved or Conditionally Approved and harvest for direct marketing.

Please visit the Permitting Guidance page for more information on the various types of permits required for shellfish aquaculture depending on activity and culture methods.