1999 Commercial Regulations
| New Jersey Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife | |
| Marine
Fisheries Administration 1999 Commercial Regulations |
|
The following is a summary of the New Jersey commercial fishing regulations. It is not the full law. Consult the Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife for further details. All persons are reminded that the statutes, code and regulations are the legal authorities. All laws and regulations relating to commercial fishing can be found in New Jersey Statutes Annotated, Titles 23 and 50, and New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 7, Subtitle E, Chapter 25.
Size Limits
Prohibited
Species
Species
Regulations
Gear
Regulations
Shellfish
Regulations
Division
Offices/Phone Numbers
American eel - 6"*
Atlantic cod - 21"
Atlantic mackerel - 7"
Black sea bass - 10"
Bluefish - 9"
Cobia - 37"
Goosefish - 17"**
Haddock - 21"
Kingfish - 8"
King mackerel - 23"
Pollock - 19"
Red drum - 18"
Scup (porgy) - 9"
Shark - 48"
Spanish mackerel - 14"
Summer flounder - 14"
Tautog - 14"
Weakfish - 13"***
Winter flounder - 12"
Blue crab ( point to point )
- peeler or shedder - 3"
- soft - 3 1/2"
- hard - 4 3/4"
Lobster
- carapace (rear of eye socket to rear of body shell) - 3
1/4"
- 6th tail segment - 1 1/16"
Hard Clam - 1 1/2" (length)
Conch - 5"
* See American eel below.
** Total weight of all goosefish livers landed shall not
be more than 30% of the total weight of all goosefish tails
landed or 12% of the total weight of goosefish landed.
***Minimum size limit for weakfish harvested by otter
trawl from 9/1 through 12/31 is 12 inches (see Otter Trawl /
Weakfish for open season).
It is illegal to take, possess, land, purchase or sell any of the following:
Atlantic sturgeon
Basking shark
Bigeye sand tiger shark
Shortnose sturgeon
Whale shark
White shark
Sea turtles and marine mammals - It is illegal to intentionally molest, kill or possess sea turtles or marine mammals, or to possess any part of one.
Striped bass - It is illegal to take, catch or kill any striped bass from or in any marine waters of this State, by means of a net of any description, or by any methods other than angling with a hook and line or by spearfishing. It is illegal to sell, barter or offer for sale any striped bass or part thereof.
AMERICAN EEL - An individual shall not take or possess any American eel less than six inches total length. To take more than 25 American eels a day from the Delaware estuary requires a Delaware Bay Commercial Eel license or a miniature fyke/pot license.
BLUE CRABS - Harvest, sale and consumption of crabs from the Newark Bay Complex is prohibited. (The Newark Bay Complex includes Newark Bay, Passaic River (up to Dundee Dam), Hackensack River (up to Oradell Dam), Arthur Kill, Kill Van Kull, and tidal portions of all tributaries. Taking of females with eggs attached or from which eggs have been removed is prohibited.
BLUEFISH - Commercial
fishermen should be aware that an annual bluefish harvest quota
is in effect for New Jersey. All commercial landings of bluefish
in New Jersey are applied to the annual quota. All persons
engaged in the commercial harvest of bluefish must possess a
valid commercial bluefish permit issued by the National Marine
Fisheries Service (NMFS). Contact NMFS at (508) 281-9370 for a
permit application.
A person shall not land and a dealer shall not accept any
bluefish landed in New Jersey taken by the gear type specified
below during the closed season for that gear type. The Department
may close the season upon 4 days notice for any gear.
Gear - Closed Season
Gill Net - November 7 - December 31
Pound Net - No Closed Season
Otter Trawl December 8 - December 31
Hook and Line January 1 - June 15 & August 8 - December 31
No purse seine vessel shall land any bluefish in excess of the purse seine quota or after the purse seine season has been closed.
DIAMONDBACK TERRAPIN
OPEN SEASON --
November 1 to March 31. No person may possess any diamondback
terrapin except during the open season. *
SIZE LIMIT -- Five (5) inches bottom shell length.
May not be taken by means of a trap, pot, fyke, seine, weir or
net of any description.
* May be a mid-year change in season. Check with Law Enforcement
prior to open season.
HORSESHOE CRABS
Harvest of horseshoe
crabs requires a permit from the Commissioner of DEP. Anyone
possessing a permit must report harvest on a monthly basis.
Applications may be obtained from the Marine Fisheries
Administration. Horseshoe crabs may be harvested by hand
collection only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between April 1 and
August 15.
No horseshoe crabs may be harvested from the Delaware Bay beaches
or the adjacent waters and uplands within 1000 feet of the mean
high water line from the Cape May Canal to Stow Creek at any
time. Hand harvest is permitted in all other areas of the State.
Horseshoe crab permits may be suspended or revoked for
noncompliance to the reporting requirements of the permit system.
Horseshoe crab permits are transferable among immediate family
members only.
LOBSTER
American lobsters
taken by otter trawl are limited to 100 lobsters per day up to a
maximum of 500 lobsters per trip. Lobsters taken by any other
gear or method other than pot, trap or otter trawl are limited to
a daily possession limit of 6 lobsters.
The possession at sea or the landing of lobster parts or any
whole lobster damaged to the extent that its carapace length
cannot be determined is prohibited.
The taking or possession of female lobsters with eggs attached or
from which eggs have been removed is prohibited. The taking or
possession of female lobsters with a v-notched tail is
prohibited. The use of any spear, gig, gaff or other penetrating
device is prohibited.
SCUP (PORGY)
A harvester or vessel shall not land scup for the purpose of sale or sell any scup unless that harvester or vessel is in the possession of a valid New Jersey Scup Permit or a valid Scup Moratorium Permit issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Commercial fishermen should be aware that coastwide scup quotas and daily trip limits are in effect for the period from November 1 through April 30 and a New Jersey scup quota is in effect for the period from May 1 through October 31. All landings of scup in New Jersey during the period from May 1 through October 31 are applied to the New Jersey quota. No vessel shall land and no dealer shall accept from any one vessel more than the daily trip limit set by the NMFS for the seasons from November 1 through April 30 or more than the daily trip limit of 1,000 pounds of scup during the season of May 1 through October 31 or as otherwise notified. Once the season has been closed for the commercial scup fishery, no vessel may land and no dealer may accept any scup landed in New Jersey. Any harvester or vessel landing scup in New Jersey for the purpose of sale must sell all scup to a permitted New Jersey Scup Dealer. New Jersey Scup Dealers must provide weekly landing reports to the Division. All New Jersey Scup Permit holders and those Scup Moratorium Permit holders landing scup in New Jersey must provide monthly landing reports to the Division.
RIVER HERRING
No person shall
harvest or attempt to harvest fish by any means from the Deal
Lake flume, the Lake Takanassee spillway or Wreck Pond spillway
on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, during the months of April and
May in any year.
No person shall take more than 35 alewife or blueback herring in
the aggregate per day with any dip net, cast net, lift or
umbrella net or bait seine.
SHARK
A valid annual vessel
permit for sharks, issued by the National Marine Fisheries
Service, is required to possess greater than two sharks per
vessel or to sell or offer for sale greater than two sharks.
A valid annual dealer permit for sharks, issued by the National
Marine Fisheries Service is required for a dealer to purchase or
receive a shark.
The possession of greater than two sharks per vessel or the sale
of more than two sharks is prohibited without the possession of a
valid annual vessel permit for sharks issued by the National
Marine Fisheries Service.
The purchase of sharks by a dealer is prohibited without a valid
annual dealer permit for sharks issued by the National Marine
Fisheries Service.
A person may not sell and a dealer may not receive any sharks
within the small coastal group, large coastal group or pelagic
group during a seasonal closure by the National Marine Fisheries
Service for that group of sharks.
The fins may not be removed from a shark until fishing has ceased
and such shark has been landed at a pier, dock or wharf where it
may be inspected.
Sharks may be eviscerated and the head removed prior to landing,
provided that the alternate length, as measured from the origin
of the first dorsal fin to the pre-caudal pit is not less than 23
inches in length.
SUMMER FLOUNDER
A vessel shall not
land more than 100 pounds of summer flounder during the period of
May 1 through October 31or more than 200 pounds of summer
flounder during the period of November 1 through April 30 in New
Jersey on any one trip unless the vessel is in possession of a
valid New Jersey Summer Flounder Permit. Commercial fishermen
should be aware that an annual summer flounder harvest quota is
in effect for New Jersey. All commercial landings of summer
flounder, whether from a directed fishery or a by-catch fishery,
are applied to the annual quota.
The New Jersey directed fishery quota is divided into three
seasons: January - April, May - August, and September - December.
Daily trip limits for the directed commercial summer flounder
fishery have been established as follows: January to April, 7,500
pounds until 50% of quota is taken, then a 4,000 pound trip
limit; May to August, 750 pounds until 40% is taken, then a 500
pound trip limit; September to December, 1,000 pounds. No vessel
can have in possession or land, and no dealer can accept from any
one vessel, more than the daily trip limit of summer flounder in
any one calendar day. Any vessel participating in a directed
summer flounder fishery must notify the Division of Fish, Game
& Wildlife of the time and place of unloading of the vessel
at least two hours in advance of unloading by calling
609-748-2050. Unloading of summer flounder can only occur between
6:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Once the season has been closed in the
directed commercial summer flounder fishery, no vessel can land
and no dealer can accept any summer flounder landed in New Jersey
in excess of the by-catch allowances specified above, provided
the amount of summer flounder landed from any vessel cannot
exceed 10%, by weight, of the total weight of all species landed
and sold. A portion of the annual quota is dedicated to a
by-catch fishery. Once the directed and by-catch quotas for a
season have been landed, no vessel can land any summer flounder
and no dealer can accept any summer flounder landed in New
Jersey. No vessel can land and no dealer can accept any summer
flounder which have been frozen, filleted or processed in any
way. Only whole fresh summer flounder can be landed.
Any harvester or vessel landing summer flounder in New Jersey for
the purpose of sale must sell all summer flounder to a permitted
New Jersey Summer Flounder Dealer. A New Jersey Summer Flounder
Dealers permit is required of all dealers buying summer flounder.
New Jersey Summer Flounder Dealers must submit weekly landing
reports to the Division. New Jersey Summer Flounder Permit
holders must submit monthly landing reports to the Division.
Failure to submit required reports may lead to suspension or
revocation of the appropriate permit.
TAUTOG
Any vessel landing
tautog for sale shall be in possession of the appropriate tautog
permit based on the poundage of tautog in possession. The
possession of more than 100 pounds of tautog on board a vessel or
landed from a vessel shall constitute a directed fishery for
tautog. A vessel participating in a directed fishery for tautog
shall be in possession of a valid New Jersey Directed Tautog
Permit. Fishermen landing 100 pounds or less of tautog for sale
shall be in possession of a Non-Directed Fishery Tautog Permit.
The permits are issued in the name of the vessel and the owner,
and for the specific gear type(s) used to qualify for the permit.
Party and charter boats in possession of either tautog permit are
ineligible to operate under that permit when carrying passengers
for hire.
Commercial fishermen should also be aware that an annual harvest
quota is in effect for New Jersey and all commercial landings of
tautog in New Jersey shall be applied to the New Jersey annual
tautog quota. The commercial season for tautog shall be from
January 1 through December 31, however, the Commissioner shall
close the season for the commercial tautog fishery upon four days
public notice of the projected dated the annual quota shall be
caught. Once the season has been closed for the commercial tautog
fishery, no vessel shall land any tautog in New Jersey and no
dealer shall accept any tautog landed in New Jersey for purposes
of sale. All permit holders must provide monthly reports to the
Division. Failure to submit required reports may lead to
suspension or revocation of the vessel's tautog permit.
WEAKFISH
A person shall not land and a dealer shall not accept more than 150 pounds of weakfish in any one day taken by the gear types specified below during the closed season for that gear type.
Gear Closed
Season
Gill Net: May 21 - September 2 & October 20 - October 26
Pound Net: June 7 - June 30
Otter Trawl: August 1 - October 12
WINTER FLOUNDER
A person shall not fish for or land and a dealer shall not accept any winter flounder taken by the gear types listed below in New Jersey waters during the closed season for that gear type.
Gear Closed
Season
Fyke Net: February 20 - September 30 (See fyke net section for
seasons for taking of other species.)
All Other Commercial Gear: June 1 - November 30
GENERAL NOTE: To "land" any fish shall
mean to begin offloading fish, to offload fish or to enter port
with fish.
REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO SPECIFIC GEAR TYPES
GENERAL GEAR MARKING REQUIREMENTS
All gear (except
purse seines and crab dredges) must be legibly and indelibly
marked with the gear identification number (ID) of the owner.
Stakes used to mark the various nets shall be marked with at
least one of the following which shall be placed at least 2 feet
above mean high water and be visible from all sides: reflectors
of not less than 2 inches in diameter; reflecting tape not less
than 2 inches in width; light colored flags not less than 2 feet
square; or light colored jugs or buoys not less than 12 inches in
diameter.
See Otter Trawls for specific gear marking requirements for this
gear.
LICENSE FEES
All fees listed apply to New Jersey residents. For most licenses, non-resident fees are the same as resident fees if a resident of New Jersey is not charged a higher fee than a resident for the same license in the applicant's state. Other wise, the non-resident fee is ten times the resident fee.
GILL NETS (General)
An applicant for a
gill net license must have possessed a gill net license in one of
the two previous years. Applicants not meeting this condition
must file an application, in person, with the Department in each
of two consecutive years. Such an applicant shall be eligible to
purchase gill net licenses in the following calendar year.
Applications may be filed at any Marine Fisheries office.
TAKE NOTICE - Under the authority of the Marine Mammal
Protection Act, the National Marine Fisheries Service has
implemented gill net regulations that are enforceable in both
State and Federal waters. These regulations significantly affect
gill nets with mesh larger than 5 inches from January through
April 30. For more information contact the NMFS at (301)
713-2322.
DELAWARE BAY GILL NET PERMIT
Anyone fishing a drifting, staked or anchored gill net in that portion of Delaware Bay or its tributaries defined as the area east of the New Jersey-Delaware boundary enclosed by a line from Cape Henlopen, Delaware to Cape May Point Light, New Jersey and the "south-west line" as defined in N.J.S.A. 50:3-11must have a Delaware Bay Gill Net Permit in addition to their gill net licenses. No new permits are being issued at this time. Individuals interested in being put on the waiting list for a Delaware Bay Gill Net Permit should request an application from the Nacote Creek Office. After being placed on the waiting list it is the applicant's responsibility to notify the Division in writing each January of his interest to remain on the waiting list.
An individual possessing a Delaware Bay Gill Net permit must purchase the number of gill net licenses authorized by the Delaware Bay Gill Net Permit in each calendar year. Failure to do so will result in the number of nets authorized by the permit being reduced to the number of net licenses actually obtained in that calendar year or in the event no licenses are purchased, invalidation of the permit immediately following the end of that calendar year.
GILL NET MESH EXEMPTION PERMIT (GNMEP)
Anyone fishing drifting, staked or anchored gill nets less than 3.25 inches stretched mesh in the Atlantic Ocean or in Delaware Bay after February 29 in any calendar year must possess a Gill Net Mesh Exemption Permit. In the Atlantic Ocean the permit allows the use of drifting gill nets between 2.75 inches stretched mesh and 3.25 inches stretched mesh within two nautical miles of the MHWL. A maximum of 200 fathoms of gill net may be in the water at any one time, the nets shall be no higher than eight feet (off the bottom) while fishing and they may only be fished between the hours of sunrise and sunset.
In Delaware Bay the permit allows the use of drifting, staked, or anchored gill nets between 2.75 inches stretched mesh and 3.25 inches stretched mesh within two nautical miles of the MHWL.
All permit holders must submit monthly reports of their catch and effort. Failure to submit the monthly report may result in revocation of the permit.
DRIFTING GILL NET
SEASON: Atlantic
Ocean, Delaware Bay, February 12 to December 15; Delaware Bay
tributaries, February 12 to May 15, July 15 to December 15. See
additional seasonal closures under Special Restrictions,
Weakfish, and Bluefish.
AREA: Atlantic Ocean, Delaware Bay and its tributaries.
GEAR: Minimum mesh: 5 inches stretched - February 12 to
February 29; 3.25 inches stretched - March 1 to December 15
except in the tributaries of Delaware Bay and in Delaware Bay
within two nautical miles of the mean high water line where the
smallest mesh shall not be less than 2.75 inches stretched (see
GNMEP). Shall not individually exceed 200 fathoms in length.
Individual drifting gill nets shall not be fastened together to
form a series of nets exceeding 400 fathoms in length from
February 12 through May 15 or exceeding 200 fathoms in length May
16 through December 15. Separate drifting gill nets or a series
of joined drifting gill nets may not be set or fished closer than
100 fathoms from any other net or series of nets. Shall not be
used in the Atlantic Ocean within 100 fathoms of the marked
channel of any inlet. In addition to the general gear marking
requirements, drifting gill nets shall be marked at each end with
a fluorescent orange float at least 12 inches in diameter or a
fluorescent orange flag at least 12 inches square and suspended
at least three feet above the water. A white float measuring at
least eight inches in diameter shall be located approximately 20
feet inside of each end marker.
SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS: No more than two drifting gill nets
shall be permitted to be set or operated by any vessel within
that section of Delaware Bay known as the Brandywine Shoal
Restricted Area: defined by the New Jersey-Delaware boundary on
the west, LORAN C 27180 on the east, and LORAN C 42830 on the
north, during the period from May 15th through June 15th. At
night (sunset to sunrise), on any public holiday, and on weekends
no more than one net shall be permitted to be set or operated,
nor shall any net be left unattended, within the Brandywine Shoal
Restricted Area. Unattended means that the operator is more than
100 feet from the nearest portion of his net.
FEE: $20.00 per net.
STAKED AND ANCHORED GILL NET
SEASON: Atlantic
Ocean - February 12 to December 15. Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook
Bay - February 1 to May 15 -and only for shad.
Staked nets in Delaware Bay - February 1 to December 15;
tributaries of Delaware Bay - January 1 to May 15 and July 15 to
December 15…Anchored nets in Delaware Bay - February 12 to
December 15; tributaries of Delaware Bay - February 12 to May 15
and July 15 to December 15. See additional seasonal closures
under Special Restrictions, Weakfish and Bluefish.
AREA: Atlantic Ocean, Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook Bay,
Delaware Bay and Delaware Bay tributaries. Staked and anchored
gill nets shall not be used in that portion of Delaware Bay known
as the Brandywine Shoal Restricted Area: defined by the New
Jersey-Delaware boundary on the west, LORAN C 27180 on the east,
and LORAN C 42830 on the north, during the period from May 15th
through June 15th.
GEAR: Staked or anchored gill nets shall not be fastened
together to form a series of nets exceeding 400 fathoms in length
from the beginning of the season through May 15 or exceeding 200
fathoms in length May 16 through December 15. In Raritan Bay and
Sandy Hook Bay individual net length shall not exceed 30 fathoms
and mesh not less than five inches stretched. No staked or
anchored shad net may be placed within 3000 feet of any operating
pound net. Shad nets may be placed on licensed pound net sites by
the license holder or on unoccupied, approved pound net sites,
provided the shad nets are set end to end with and in line with
any existing pound nets. Staked and anchored gill nets may be
used in the Atlantic Ocean February 12 through December 15, where
individual gill net length shall not exceed 50 fathoms. The
smallest mesh of any such net used in the Atlantic Ocean shall
not be less than five inches stretched February 12 through
February 29 and not less than 3.25 inches stretched March 1
through December 15. Such nets shall not be used in the Atlantic
Ocean within 100 fathoms of the marked channel of any inlet. In
addition to the general gear marking requirements, staked and
anchored gill nets shall be marked at the end of a net or series
of nets with a fluorescent orange float at least 12 inches in
diameter or a fluorescent orange flag at least 12 inches square
and suspended at least three feet above the water. A white float
measuring at least eight inches in diameter shall be located
approximately 20 feet inside of each end marker.
Staked and anchored gill nets may be used in the tributaries of
Delaware Bay January 1 through May 15 and July 15 through
December 15, where individual gill net length shall not exceed 30
fathoms. The mesh of any such net used in the tributaries of
Delaware Bay shall not be less that 2.75 inches stretched, nor
greater that 3.25 inches stretched January 1 through February 29
and no mechanical means shall be utilized to retrieve such net,
and shall not be less than 2.75 inches from March 1 through May
15 and July 15 through December 15. No net shall be set across
the middle one third of any tributary or mouth of any tributary,
nor shall any net be set in a manner that impedes navigation.
Staked and anchored gill nets may be used in Delaware Bay
February 1 through December 15, where individual gill net length
shall not exceed 30 fathoms. The mesh of staked gill nets used in
Delaware Bay shall be 2.75 inches stretched beginning February 1
through February 29. The mesh of anchored gill nets used in
Delaware Bay shall not be less than five inches stretched
beginning February 1 through February 29. Staked or anchored gill
nets of a mesh not less that 2.75 inches or greater than 3.25
inches may be used within 0.5 nautical mile of the mean high
water line from January 1 through February 29 provided no
mechanical means are utilized to retrieve such nets. The mesh of
any such net shall not be less that 3.25 inches beginning March 1
through December 15 except within two nautical miles of the mean
high water line where the smallest mesh shall not be less than
2.75 inches stretched (see GNMEP).
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: Raritan and Sandy Hook Bay - staked
and anchored gill nets may be used only for shad.
Delaware Bay - Staked and anchored gill nets shall not be used in
that portion of the Delaware Bay known as the Brandywine Shoal
Restricted area defined above.
FEE: $3.00 per net.
HUDSON RIVER SHAD NET
SEASON: Legal
period from Saturday midnight until Friday noon. March 15 to June
15.
AREA: Hudson River
GEAR: Shad nets for the Hudson River shall be held in
place by either stakes or anchors and shall not exceed 200
fathoms in length. The smallest mesh of any shad net shall not be
less than five inches stretched. Shad nets shall be marked at
each end with a fluorescent orange float at least 12 inches in
diameter or a fluorescent orange flag at least 12 inches square
and suspended at least two feet above the mean high water line.
See General Gear Marking Requirements also.
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: Shad only.
FEE: $60.00 per net.
BAIT NET
SEASON:
January 1 to December 31.
AREA: All marine waters, bays, coves, rivers and creeks;
Atlantic Ocean within 3 nautical miles of coast.
GEAR: 1. Hand held dip nets 24 inches in diameter or less;
2. Bait seines not exceeding 150 feet and mesh not less than 3/8
inches stretched, inside measurement, and not more than 2.5
inches stretched; 3. Cast nets not exceeding 30 feet in diameter;
4. Lift or umbrella nets not exceeding four feet square; 5.
Killipots with a mesh of not less that 3/16 inches bar, inside
measurement, and not exceeding 10 inches in diameter and 25
inches in length, if cylindrical, or 2000 cubic inches for any
other configuration.
See General Gear Marking Requirements.
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: The bait net license would
not allow a person to harvest over 1 bushel or sell any crabs,
nor take more than 35 river herring (alewife and blueback
herring) per day.
FEE: $10.00 per license.
A license is not required for the following gear provided that
the fish taken are not sold or bartered and the following
additional gear restrictions are observed: 1. Dip nets 24 inches
in diameter or less (for herring only); 2. Bait seines not
exceeding 50 feet; 3. Cast nets not exceeding 20 feet in
diameter; 4. Lift or umbrella nets not exceeding 4 feet square;
5. Five killipots or less measuring not over 10 inches in
diameter or 25 inches in length, if cylindrical, or 2,000 cubic
inches for any other configuration.
NOTE: Under N.J.S.A. 23:5 - 35.2, no license is required
to take edible crabs for personal consumption with a scoop net
(commonly called dip net) operated by hand.
MINIATURE FYKES OR POTS
SEASON:
January 1 to December 31
AREA: All marine waters, bays, coves, rivers and creeks;
Atlantic Ocean within 3 nautical miles of coast. Sale of eels
taken from the Hudson River, upper New York Bay, Newark Bay,
lower (tidal) Passaic and Hackensack Rivers, the Arthur Kill and
the Kill Van Kull prohibited. Sale and consumption of any species
taken from the tidal Passaic is prohibited.
GEAR: Diameter not to exceed 16 inches if cylindrical or
201 square inches in cross section if any other configuration.
Mesh no smaller than 3/16 inches bar inside measurement. See
General Gear Marking Requirements.
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: Only to be used for the taking of
catfish, suckers, killifish (Cyprinodontidae spp.), and
eels. Up to two miniature fykes or pots may be used for the
taking of killifish or eels for bait without a license provided
the killifish or eels are not sold or used for barter.
FEE: $100.00 per license.
PARALLEL NET
SEASON:
September 1 to May 31
AREA: Delaware Bay and its tributaries.
GEAR: Minimum mesh: 3.5 inches stretched and length not
greater than 100 fathoms (600 feet). To be set parallel to shore
at the low water mark. Must not be set across any tributary or
mouth of any tributary nor set in a manner that impedes
navigation.
See General Gear Marking Requirements.
FEE: $10.00 per net.
FYKE NET
SEASON:
November 1 to April 30.
AREA: All marine waters, bays, coves, rivers and creeks
and Atlantic Ocean within three nautical miles of coast except
fyke netting is not permitted in Lake Takanassee, Spring Lake,
Wreck Pond, Deal Lake and in the area commonly known as Collins
Cove off the Mullica River between a line starting at aid to
navigation channel marker flashing red number 8 (latitude 39°
33.36'N, longitude 74° 28.39'W), bearing approximately 229° to
a point on the western shore of Collins Cove at latitude 39°
33.09'N, longitude 74° 28.72'W and the Garden State Parkway
where it crosses the Mullica River. No fyke net nor part thereof
shall be set in the middle one third of any river, stream or
tributary.
GEAR: Length, including leaders, not to exceed 30 fathoms
(180 feet). Mesh no smaller than 3/8 inches stretched (inside
measurement) or larger that 5 inches stretched. No part of the
net or leaders may be constructed of monofilament. All fyke nets
must be marked. See section on general net marking requirements.
In addition, submerged anchored fyke nets shall be marked at each
end with a fluorescent orange flag at least 12 inches by 12
inches and suspended at least three feet above the water or a
florescent orange flat at least 12 inches in diameter. All stakes
used for setting of fyke nets must be removed within 30 days of
the close of season.
SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS: Each licensee must specify on their
license application the specific estuary in which they intend to
fish the fyke net(s). Licensees must notify the Division of Fish,
Game and Wildlife, Marine Fisheries Administration, as to any
change in the specific estuary within which the fyke net is
located no later than seven days following the change in estuary.
Winter flounder may be taken by fyke net during the season of
November 1 through February 19. Any winter flounder taken by fyke
net from February 20 through April 30 shall not be retained and
must be immediately returned to the water.
FEE: $12.00 per net.
HAUL SEINE
SEASON:
November 1 to April 30
AREA: Inland marine waters, bays, coves, rivers and creeks
except Lake Takanassee, Spring Lake, Wreck Pond and Deal Lake;
Atlantic Ocean but not within 300 feet of coastline. No haul
seine may be used beneath the ice in any waters.
GEAR: Mesh not less than 2.75 inches stretched and length
not to exceed 70 fathoms (420 feet), whether singly or in series.
See General Gear Marking Requirements.
FEE: $25.00 per net.
POUND NET
SEASON:
Atlantic Ocean, Raritan Bay, and Sandy Hook Bay - January 1 to
December 31. Delaware Bay - February 15 to May 15.
AREA: Delaware Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Raritan Bay and Sandy
Hook Bay. Pound net site priority is given to the previous year's
license holder until March 1.
GEAR:
Raritan, Sandy Hook and Delaware Bays: When
submitting a request for a pound net license, the applicant must
specify the proposed site location for placement of each net. New
sites must be at least 3000 feet from a previously leased pound
net site, when measured parallel to the shoreline, and 1000 feet
from any navigable channel. Sites which have not been previously
located on an approved chart must be approved by the Department.
Pound nets must be placed end to end so as to form a straight
line, perpendicular to the shoreline. Maximum length, including
leader and hearts, is 750 feet. Mesh not less than two inches
stretched. A minimum distance of 50 feet must be maintained
between any two pound nets, shad nets or combination thereof,
when measured perpendicular to the shoreline. A name plate not
less than six inches square with a legible and indelibly marked
gear identification number (ID) must be maintained on the
offshore pole. A flashing, amber light must be displayed between
sunset and sunrise on the two end poles. Within 30 days of the
termination of fishing activities for that year, all poles and
stakes must be removed by the license holder.
Atlantic Ocean: When submitting a request for an
ocean or submarine pound net license, the applicant must specify
the specific proposed site-location for placement of each net.
(Permission for location of ocean pound nets is also required
from the United States Army Corps of Engineers.) No portion of a
pound net may be set within 1,500 feet or greater than 7,000 feet
from the mean low water line on the ocean shoreline. No row of
pound nets may be erected or operated within one and one-half
miles of any other row of pound nets, when measured parallel with
the coastline. No more than two pound nets may be joined
together. A minimum distance of 1,000 feet, when measured
perpendicular to the coastline, must be maintained between
individual or paired pound nets set in a row. A row of ocean or
submarine pound nets must form a straight line with the nets
placed end-to-end. The maximum allowable length of an ocean or
submarine pound net, including leader and pocket is 1,100 feet.
The minimum mesh size for ocean or submarine pound nets is two
inches, stretched. White reflectors must be placed around the top
of each pole so as to reflect in all directions. Flashing amber
lights must be displayed on the inshore and offshore poles of
nets or rows of nets, between sunset and sunrise; these lights
must be placed at least 10 feet above the mean high water level
and must be of sufficient brightness to be visible for at least
three miles in all directions at such times and under such
weather conditions as would allow visibility of 10 miles.
Submarine pound nets shall be maintained in compliance with the
following additional requirements; at least eight fluorescent
orange floats, at least 12 inches in diameter, shall be
maintained along the length of each net, including the inshore
and offshore ends. A nameplate, not less than 12 inches square,
shall have the identification number (ID) legibly marked. The
license holder must completely remove all pound net poles and
stakes, within ten months of the termination of fishing
activities.
FEE: $100.00 per net.
WIRE POUND NET
SEASON: March
1 to December 31.
AREA: Delaware Bay only.
GEAR: Not to extend farther than 300 feet from the mean
low water mark. See General Gear Marking Requirements.
FEE: $25.00 per net.
SHRIMP TRAWL
SEASON: April
15 to December 15.
AREA: No restrictions.
GEAR: The maximum internal opening of the trawl is 60
inches by 12 inches. The mesh cannot be greater than 0.5 inches
stretched. No boat shall have more than two trawls working at the
same time, and each trawl shall be separately and independently
attached to the vessel by a single cable or tow line. See
General Gear Marking Requirements.
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: For taking grass shrimp (Palaemonetes
spp.) or sand shrimp (Crangon spp.) only. Any organisms
other than shrimp taken with a shrimp trawl must be immediately
returned to waters from which such organisms were taken.
FEE: $12.00 per net.
LOBSTER OR FISH POTS
SEASON:
January 1 to December 31.
AREA: Atlantic Ocean within 3 nautical miles of the coast,
Delaware Bay, Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay.
GEAR: Lines to be marked at both ends with a buoy. All
gear must be legibly and indelibly marked with the gear
identification number (ID) of the owner. The gear ID number must
also be displayed on the port and starboard sides of the
deck-house or hull and on a weather deck so as to be visible from
above. The number displayed must be at least 10 inches in height
and of a color contrasting to the background.
All lobster and fish traps must be constructed in such a manner
that it does not exceed 22,950 cubic inches in volume and to
include the largest of the applicable unobstructed escape vents
in the parlor section of the pot as follows: in a fishery in
which the possession of at least 100 pounds of scup occurs, the
escape vent(s) must be at least 2.25 inches by 2.25 inches if
square or at least 3.1 inches in diameter if circular; in a
fishery in which the possession of lobster occurs, the escape
vent(s) must be at least 1.9375 (1-15/16) inches by 5.75 inches
if rectangular or 2 vents at least 2.4375 (2-7/16) inches in
diameter if circular; in a fishery in which the possession of
black sea bass occurs, the escape vent(s) must be at least 1.5
inches by 1.5 inches if square, at least 1.125 inches by 5.75
inches if rectangular or at least 2 inches in diameter if
circular. All lobster and fish traps must be constructed to
include a ghost panel or other mechanism to allow the
unobstructed escapement of fish or lobsters after a pot is
abandoned or lost which meets the following specifications: an
opening not less than 3.75 inches by 3.75 inches or not less than
three inches by 6 inches when used in a fishery in which the
possession of black sea bass occurs. The ghost panel shall be
constructed of, or fastened to the pot with one of the following
materials: untreated wood lath; untreated cotton, hemp, sisal or
jute twine not greater than 3/16 inches in diameter;
non-stainless, ungalvanized, uncoated ferrous metal not greater
than 3/32 inches in diameter or magnesium alloy, timed float
releases.
A modified lobster or fish pot may be used for taking conchs in
all marine waters of the state except the Newark Bay Complex,
creeks less than 50 feet wide at mean low water, marked or
charted channels or any manmade lagoon. Such pots shall not be
larger than 30 inches on a side if rectangular or if cylindrical
shaped, not greater than 34 inches in diameter and 30 inches in
height. Conch pots must have an unobstructed opening on the top
surface not less than 8 x 8 inches, square or 9 inches in
diameter and cannot contain a parlor, funnel or other entrapping
mechanism in the interior of the pot. Conch pots may only be
tended between the hours of 0400 hours (4:00 A.M.) to 2100 hours
(9:00 P.M.).
FEE: $100.00 per license.
CRAB POT / TROT LINE
SEASON:
Delaware Bay and its tributaries - April 16 to December 14; all
other waters - March 15 to November 30.
AREA: The following waters are closed to the use of crab
pots and trot lines: Cumberland County - Cohansey River, Back
Creek, Cedar Creek, Nantuxent Creek, Fortesque Creek, Oranoken
Creek, Dividing Creek; Cape May County - West Creek, Bidwell
Creek and the Cape May Canal; Atlantic County - Hammock Cove also
known as Dry Bay. Ocean County - On the eastern shore of Barnegat
Bay, that area of the Sedge Islands Wildlife Management Area
enclosed by a line drawn from the northern bank of Fishing Creek
on Island Beach State Park to the northern tip of the Sedge
Islands (Hensler Island), then south from point to point along
the western side of the Sedge Islands Wildlife Management Area
and terminating on the most southwestern point of Island Beach
State Park.
GEAR: Crab pots shall be a cube or rectangular shaped
device not larger than 30 inches on a side. Minimum mesh size
shall be not less than 1 inch. The openings to the interior of
the pot shall be oval and not larger than 7 inches wide and 4
inches in height. Trot lines shall have a maximum length of 3,000
feet and marked at both ends with a clearly visible stake or
buoy. No trot line shall be set within 100 feet of another trot
line. All gear must be legibly and indelibly marked with the gear
identification number (ID) of the owner.
All crab pot buoys shall be marked with fluorescent or reflective
paint, tape or other reflective material or reflectors. Floating
line cannot be used on any crab pot or crab pot buoy. No license
holder shall fish more that 600 crab pots in the Delaware Bay nor
more that 400 crab pots in all other waters. All crab pots must
be checked and emptied of all crabs and other organisms at least
once every 72 hours. All gear associated with crab potting must
be removed from the water within three days of the end of the
season. No pot shall be placed in any creek less than 50 ft. wide
or in any marked or charted channel or man-made lagoon. Crab pots
and trot lines may be tended only between the hours of 4:00 AM
and 9:00 PM prevailing time in Delaware Bay and 24 hours a day in
all other waters. All organisms other than crabs and conchs shall
be immediately released to the waters from which such organisms
were taken.
Effective January 1, 1998, all commercial crab pots shall be
constructed to include a biodegradable panel or other mechanism
which is designed to create an opening to allow the escape of
crabs or other marine organisms after a pot has been abandoned,
or lost, and which meets the following criteria:
The opening covered by the panel or created by another approved mechanism as identified in #3 below shall be oval or rectangular and measure at least 6.5 inches wide and 5 inches high, shall be located in the upper section of the pot, and shall be in a position which allows the unobstructed exit of crabs or fish from the pot
The panel shall be constructed of, or fastened to the pot with one of the following materials: wood lath; cotton, hemp, sisal or jute twine no greater than 1/16 inch in diameter; or non-stainless, uncoated ferrous metal not greater that 3/32 inch in diameter; and
The door or side panel of the pot may serve as the ghost panel if the door or side panel is fastened to the pot with a material specified in the #2 above.
All commercial crab pots set in any body of water less that 150 feet wide from shoreline to shoreline at mean low water or in any man-made lagoon shall include terrapin excluder devices attached to the inside of all pot entrance funnels which meet the following criteria:
The terrapin excluder device shall be rectangular or diamond shaped and no larger than six inches wide and two inches high;
The terrapin excluder device shall be securely fastened inside each funnel to effectively reduce the size of the funnel opening to no larger than six inches wide and two inches high; and
Any similar device may be approved by the Division after consultation at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Marine Fisheries Council.
FEE:
Resident-$100.00; Non-Resident-$500.00.
SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS: Crab Pot/Trot Line and Crab Dredge:
Commercial fishermen should be aware that the number of crab
pot/trot line and crab dredge licenses is now limited. Only
individuals renewing their license in the current year will be
eligible to purchase a license for the next year.
All persons commercially licensed to take crabs by means of pots
or trot lines or crab dredge in this State shall keep, on forms
furnished by the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife, accurate
records which shall include the number of bushels of crabs, and
the areas fished. These records will be filed monthly on or
before the 10th of the month following the month of record with
the Div. of Fish, Game & Wildlife.
CRAB DREDGE
SEASON:
November 15 through April 15 in Delaware Bay; December 1 through
March 31 in all other waters. Sunday dredging allowed only north
of Rt.36, in the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay.
HOURS: One-half hour after sunrise to one-half hour before
sunset, statewide. Consult the Hunting Issue of the NJ Fish &
Wildlife DIGEST for official times of sunrise and sunset.
AREA: Atlantic coast and sections of Delaware Bay.
GEAR: The maximum length of the tooth bar shall be 75
inches north of Route 36 and in the Atlantic Ocean, 54 inches in
Delaware Bay, and 38 inches in all other waters. The maximum
weight of the dredge shall be 400 pounds north of Route 36 and in
the Atlantic Ocean and 80 pounds in all other waters. There is no
weight limit in Delaware Bay. If two or fewer dredges are in
possession north of Route 36 or in the Atlantic Ocean, or if no
more than one dredge is in possession in Delaware Bay, the
maximum length of the tooth bar shall be 96 inches and the
maximum weight of the dredge shall be 500 pounds (except no
weight limit in Delaware Bay). The maximum length of the teeth
shall be six inches north of Route 36, in Delaware Bay, and in
the Atlantic Ocean and three inches in all other waters. The
minimum space between teeth shall be three inches measured at the
base. A toothless bar is allowed in place of a tooth bar in all
waters, provided each toothless bar is no greater than the
previously specified tooth bar lengths. Chains are allowed in
place of a tooth bar or toothless bar in all waters, provided
that the width of each dredge opening or mouth and the distance
between the chain attachment points on the dredge are no greater
in width than the previously specified tooth bar lengths. The
collecting bag of a dredge, if material, shall have mesh not less
than two inches bar measure or four inches stretched measure, if
wire, shall not be less than two inches bar mesh (inside
measurement) or two and one-half inches inside diameter if
circular; if metal, the O-rings shall not be less than two and
one-half inches diameter and be connected with no more than five
"S" hooks that measure not less than two and one-half
inches in length as measured to the inside of the "S"
configuration. Each dredge shall be independently and separately
attached to the vessel by a single cable or tow line. No boat
shall have more than four dredges working at the same time,
except in Delaware Bay where no boats shall have more than two
dredges working at the same time. The maximum weight of the
dredge includes the weight of the frame, tooth bar or chain,
fasteners and bag.
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: Crab Dredge: No person shall catch,
take, or attempt to take crabs by crab dredge from any of the
marked leased shellfish grounds; and no person shall dredge or
attempt to dredge crabs on any State oyster beds or grounds,
except for a lessee on his or her leased shellfish grounds in
Delaware Bay; and no person shall dredge or attempt to dredge
crabs within 50 yards of any marked leased shellfish grounds. Any
clams, oysters, scallops, mussels or other bivalve mollusks, or
finfish which may be caught incidentally to the catching of the
crabs by dredge shall be redeposited immediately in the water
from which such clams, oysters, scallops, mussels or other
bivalve mollusks, or finfish are caught; nor shall any person,
while engaged in the catching and taking of crabs by dredge, have
in his boat or possession any clams, oysters, scallops, mussels
or other bivalve mollusks, or finfish obtained from any source,
except as provided under N.J.S.A. 50:3-16.13. Conchs may be kept
as a by catch in the crab dredge fishery.
Harvest, sale and consumption of crabs from the Newark Bay
Complex is prohibited. (The Newark Bay Complex includes Newark
Bay, Passaic River (up to Dundee Dam), Hackensack River (up to
Oradell Dam), Arthur Kill, Kill Van Kull, and tidal portions of
all tributaries.
Also see SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS for crab pot/trot line.
FEE: Resident Delaware Bay Crab Dredge License - $100.00.
Resident Atlantic Coast Crab Dredge License - $100.00.
Non-Resident - $500.00 each license.
SHIRRED OR PURSE SEINES, OTTER OR BEAM TRAWLS
SEASON:
January 1 to December 31
AREA: Atlantic Ocean not closer than two miles from the
coastline.
GEAR: License issued for an individual vessel. All trawl
net doors possessed on the waters of the State of New Jersey must
contain the official documentation number or the state
registration number of the vessel to whom they belong indelibly
branded or stamped in block letters no less than two inches in
height on the surface of each door. Trawl doors may be used only
by the vessel which corresponds to the branded or stamped
numbers. A vessel may utilize another vessel's trawl doors
provided the vessel owner utilizing such doors contacts the
Division's Bureau of Law Enforcement in advance. No vessel may
have available for immediate use any otter or beam trawl while on
the marine waters of this State during the hours between sunset
and sunrise except on the Atlantic Ocean, at a distance of
greater than two miles from the coast line. Contact the Marine
Fisheries Office for definition of "not available for
immediate use". A vessel or person utilizing a roller rigged
trawl gear shall not utilize rollers greater than 18 inches in
diameter. To "land" any fish shall mean to begin off
loading, to off load or to enter port with fish.
SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS:
BLACK SEA BASS: A person utilizing an otter or beam trawl
in a directed fishery for black sea bass may not use a net of
less than 4 inches stretched diamond mesh or 3.5 inches stretched
square mesh, inside measurement, applied throughout the cod end
for at least 75 continuous meshes forward of the terminus of the
net. The possession of more than 1000 pounds of black sea bass on
board a vessel or landed from a vessel shall constitute a
directed fishery for black sea bass.
SCUP: A person utilizing an otter or beam trawl in a
directed fishery for scup shall not use a net of less than 4.5
inches stretched mesh inside measurement applied throughout the
cod end for at least 75 continuous meshes forward of the terminus
of the net. A directed fishery for scup is defined as the
possession of more that 200 pounds of scup during the period of
November 1 through April 30 and more than 100 pounds of scup
during the period of May 1 through October 31 on board a vessel
or landed from a vessel.
SUMMER FLOUNDER: A person utilizing an otter or beam trawl
in a directed summer flounder fishery may not use a net of less
than 5.5 inches stretched diamond mesh or 6.0 inches minimum
stretched square mesh, inside measurement applied throughout the
body, extensions and cod end portions of the net. The possession
of more than 100 pounds during the period of May 1 through
October 31 or more than 200 pounds during the period of November
1 through April 30 of summer flounder onboard a vessel or landed
from a vessel shall constitute a directed fishery for summer
flounder (see Summer Flounder).
WINTER FLOUNDER: A person utilizing an otter or beam trawl
in a directed winter flounder fishery may not use a net of less
than 5.0 inches stretched mesh inside measurement applied
throughout the cod end for at least 75 continuous meshes forward
of the terminus of the net. The possession of more than 100
pounds of winter flounder onboard a vessel or landed from a
vessel shall constitute a directed fishery for winter flounder.
See winter flounder section for seasonal restrictions.
WEAKFISH: A person utilizing an otter or beam trawl in a
directed fishery for weakfish may not use or possess a net of
less than 3.75 inches stretched diamond mesh or 3.375 inches
stretch square mesh, inside measurement applied throughout the
cod end for at least 75 continuous meshes forward of the terminus
of the net. The possession of at least 100 pounds of weakfish
onboard a vessel or landed from a vessel shall constitute a
directed fishery for weakfish. See weakfish section for seasonal
restrictions.
FEE: $100.00 per license.
SHIRRED OR PURSE SEINES FOR MENHADEN FOR FISH MEAL REDUCTION
SEASON: The
third Monday in May through the third Friday in October.
AREA: Atlantic Ocean from 1.2 to 3 nautical miles from the
coast.
GEAR: Purse or shirred net.
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: All fishing and related activities
may not occur any closer than 1.2 nautical miles from the shore,
jetties or piers. The vessel's captain or agent shall notify the
Division at 609-748-2050 prior to and upon completion of any
fishing in state waters. No fishing on Saturdays, Sundays or any
holiday officially observed by the State of New Jersey (New
Year's Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday,
Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, Veteran's Day,
Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day). No markers, buoys, crab
pots, lobster pots, or traps shall be disturbed by the act of
fishing. Possession of any fish other than menhaden is
prohibited.
FEE: Based upon gross tonnage - range from $125-$1,500.
SHIRRED OR PURSE SEINES FOR MENHADEN FOR BAIT
SEASON:
January 1 to December 31.
AREA: Atlantic Ocean - between 0.6 and 3 nautical miles
from shore. Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay - not closer than 0.3
nautical miles from shore. Delaware Bay - that portion of
Delaware Bay south and east of LORAN C line 42850 not closer than
0.6 nautical miles from shore.
GEAR: Purse or shirred net.
SPECIAL RESTRICTION: Applicant must apply for a bait
permit between January 1 and March 1 in every calendar year. No
applications shall be accepted after March 1 in any calendar
year. Maximum length of vessel is 90 feet. Maximum length of net
is 150 fathoms (900 feet). Removal of fish from purse seine shall
be by brailing or dip netting only. Fish pumps are prohibited
aboard harvest vessels permitted to purse seine menhaden for
bait. All fishing and related activities may not occur any closer
to the shore, jetties or piers than 0.6 nautical miles in the
Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay and 0.3 nautical miles in Raritan
and Sandy Hook bays. No fishing permitted between sunset and
sunrise. No fishing permitted on Saturdays, Sundays or any
holiday officially observed by the State of New Jersey (New
Year's Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday,
Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, Veteran's Day,
Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day). No stakes, markers, buoys,
crab pots, lobster pots, fish pots, or staked shellfish grounds
shall be disturbed by the act of fishing. Possession of any fish
other than menhaden is prohibited.
Any vessel engaged in fishing for Atlantic menhaden for bait must
obtain a bait permit and shall display, on both sides of the
vessel amidships, a yellow capital letter "B" not less
that five feet in height on a black square background not less
that six feet on a side, or as otherwise specified in the
regulation. In all cases, however, each side of the black
background shall be no less that three-quarters of the height of
the gunwale at amidships from the waterline.
A permit suspension/revocation schedule exists for violation of
authorized fishing areas. Any vessel operating under this permit
is required to notify the Division’s Marine Enforcement Unit
(609-748-2050) on a daily basis of the identity of the vessel,
the intended fishing locations of the vessel or any change in
intended fishing location prior to the onset of fishing activity.
All persons licensed to take Atlantic menhaden for bait purposes
only shall keep and submit accurate records of the amount and
location of Atlantic menhaden harvested.
FEE: Based upon gross tonnage - range $20-$700.
REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO SHELLFISH
GENERAL
Shellfish cannot be taken from condemned waters. Shellfish growing water classification charts are revised annually and should be obtained (no charge) from licensing agents. Shellfish cannot be taken before sunrise, after sunset or on Sunday. A license is required for the commercial harvest of hard clams, soft clams, oysters and surf clams. Shellfish harvested can only be sold to Certified Dealers (or used for personal consumption). Licensee is required to have the appropriate license on his/her person at all times while operating under said license.
Stakes are used to mark leased grounds. Harvesting within these lots is restricted to the lessee or his designee. Maps of leased grounds on the Atlantic Coast are on file at the Nacote Creek Shellfish Office, Route, Mile Marker 51, Port Republic, NJ. Maps of leased grounds in Delaware Bay are on file at the Bivalve Shellfish Office, 6959 Miller Avenue, Bivalve, NJ.
Questions regarding water quality classification should be directed to the Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring, PO Box 405, Leeds Point, NJ 08220-0405 (phone 609-748-2000).
For information regarding the requirements to become a certified shellfish dealer, please contact the NJ Department of Health, Consumer Health Services, PO Box 369, Trenton, NJ 08625-0369 (phone 609-588-3223).
HARD CLAMS
The minimum size for hard clams is 1-1/2 inches (longest dimension). Whenever a person in possession of a commercial clam license in any vessel or vehicle is engaged in any clamming activity, all other persons harvesting clams on or in that vessel or vehicle shall also possess a commercial clam license.
OYSTERS
The holder of an oyster license is permitted to take oysters in the waters of this State by means other than power dredging or as otherwise stated in Title 50. Contact the Shellfish Office for specific dates of harvest seasons along the Atlantic coast and Delaware Bay. All oyster shells and other material except oysters shall be thrown back upon the beds from which they have been taken.
SURF CLAMS
The harvest of surf clams is subject to the provisions of Title 50 and N.J.A.C. 7:25-12. The surf clam fishery is a limited-entry fishery. Only the holder of a valid surf clam license or their agent may commercially harvest surf clams for human consumption. Based upon current stock assessment data, an annual harvest quota is established for the fishery operating in New Jersey territorial waters with the quota divided equally among all surf clam license holders. A bait clam vessel license may be obtained for the purpose of harvesting bait clams only from condemned waters as delineated at N.J.A.C. 7:12, exclusive of prohibited fishing areas as delineated at N.J.A.C. 7:25-12.9(a) 1 and 2.
Division
of Fish, Game and Wildlife Offices
Main Office
N.J. Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife
P.O. Box 400
Trenton, NJ 08625-0400
General Information - 609-292-2965
Marine Fisheries - 609-292-2083
Shellfisheries - 609-984-5546
Law Enforcement - 609-292-9430
Bivalve Shellfish Office
PO Box 432
Port Norris, NJ 08349-0432
609-785-0730
Nacote Creek Marine Fisheries Center
PO Box 418
Port Republic, NJ 08241-0418
Marine Fisheries - 609-748-2020
Shellfisheries - 609-748-2040
Marine Resources Enforcement - 609-748-2050
Coastal Education - 609-748-2031
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