The Bureau of Marine Habitat & Shellfisheries and Bureau of Marine Fisheries together make up the Marine Resources Administration. The Administration plays an important role in managing and conserving New Jersey’s marine fish and shellfish resources on an intra-state and inter-state level they can be accessible and enjoyed by commercial and recreational fisheries for current and future generations.

The Bureau of Marine Habitat & Shellfisheries is the natural resource agency charged with directing New Jersey’s shellfish programs, projects, and restorative efforts. The Bureau develops monitoring and management programs to protect, enhance, and conserve the vast marine fish and shellfish resources that exist in New Jersey’s estuarine and coastal environment. Primary duties of Bureau staff include conducting surveys of marine and estuarine fish and shellfish populations, collecting harvest and effort information from our commercial shellfish industry, analyzing data to evaluate status of New Jersey’s shellfish resources and fisheries, as well as representing New Jersey’s interests on interjurisdictional fisheries and habitat management bodies. Bureau staff also assists the public to purchase recreational and commercial licenses for marine activities. Regulations to govern the management and harvest of our shellfish populations are published through New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C) 7:25 and 7:25A and enabled by New Jersey Statutes Annotated (N.J.S.A.) Titles 23 and 50.

The Bureau is located at two offices. The Nacote Creek Research Station is located two miles north of Smithville on Rt. 9 in Galloway Township. Please see the office addresses, office hours, and contact information below.

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For information about the other Marine Resources Administration bureau, please visit the Bureau of Marine Fisheries page.