AQUACULTURE BILL PASSED AND SENT TO GOVERNOR

Bills to streamline the approval process for aquaculture businesses in New Jersey, including oyster farming, were unanimously approved by the state legislature last week and sent to Gov. Christie for his signature. The bills were sponsored by Sen. Jeff Van Drew, with the intention of growing the state’s aquaculture industry and boosting oyster production. The state Department of Agriculture defines aquaculture as the farming of fish, mollusks, crustaceans and aquatic plants.