The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Shellfisheries is seeking proposals from experienced shellfish aquaculturists interested in leasing and operating parcels for structural aquaculture activities as part of a pilot project for a period of five (5) years within the following State-owned Aquaculture Development Zones (ADZs) in Delaware Bay:

• ADZ-2 and ADZ-3, respectively 500 acres and 600 acres, located offshore in the lower Delaware Bay. Ten-acre parcels are available for leasing within these areas.

• ADZ-4 (A) and ADZ-4 (B), respectively 22 acres and 29 acres, located in the intertidal area adjacent to the mouth of Green Creek, Middle Township, Cape May County. One and one-half acre (1.5 acre) parcels are available for leasing within these areas.

Lease applications must be submitted in person at the Division of Fish and Wildlife's Delaware Bay Office located at 1672 East Buckshutem Road, Millville, NJ 08332. Applications will be accepted Monday through Thursday from 8:30 am through 4:00 pm between December 12, 2011 and January 12, 2012. A one-time fee in the amount of $1,000.00 and an annual rental fee of $25.00 per acre for parcels within ADZ-2 and ADZ-3 or $100.00 per acre for parcels within ADZ-4 (A) or ADZ-4 (B) are due prior to execution of the lease. The lease term is five (5) years. Transition to a permanent lease would be completed upon adoption of ADZ program regulations. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of lease parcels available within a given ADZ, a lottery will be administered to select among all qualified applicants.

Application Packet (pdf, 3.8mb)