Shellfish farmers warn overregulation could drive NJ aquaculture to ‘extinction’

Shellfish farmers pleaded with New Jersey legislators to ease restrictions on aquaculture. An Assembly panel approved four measures Thursday.

By: Dana DiFilippo

Outlets: New Jersey Monitor

Published: September 18, 2026

Words: 807

Last Updated: 6 hours, 30 minutes ago

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Legislators advanced a package of bills Thursday intended to help New Jersey’s aquaculture industry, with shellfish farmers complaining that state regulations stifle expansion and have driven some to move out of state.

The Assembly’s agriculture and natural resources committee listened to an hour of testimony during an afternoon hearing at the Statehouse, where shellfish farmers blasted a common boogeyman: the Department of Environmental Protection.

Oyster farmer Matt Gregg, co-founder and operator of …

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