SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 19

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 26, 1996

 

 

By Senator CARDINALE

 

 

A Joint Resolution establishing a task force to study the revitalization of the oyster industry.

 

Whereas, The culture of oysters in New Jersey estuarine areas is the oldest type of aquaculture practiced in the State, and

Whereas, This practice gave rise to a very significant industry for more than one hundred years; however, in the last forty years the production of oysters has steadily declined to an average value of less than ten percent of the levels previously achieved, and

Whereas, This decline is attributable to a complex set of factors, many of which are beyond the control of the practitioners of this type of culture, and

Whereas, There is ample evidence that the biological potential for oyster production, especially in the Delaware bay, remains high, and

Whereas, The persons involved in the shellfish industry clearly recognize the need for the introduction of innovative changes in culture practices in order to again realize this potential, and

Whereas, Such innovation, including commercial scale trials of new operational strategies, is seriously impeded by the current antiquated statutory and regulatory structure controlling the use of this natural resource, and

Whereas, Reformulation of the regulatory structure is urgently needed to permit the technological updating of oyster culture practices that will permit the circumvention of the current adverse conditions and foster the revitalization of the New Jersey oyster industry; now, therefore,

 

    Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. There is established a task force to be known as the "Oyster Industry Revitalization Task Force." The task force shall consist of 13 members each having expertise in oyster culture to be appointed by the Governor as follows: two representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection, two representatives from the Department of Agriculture, one representative from the Delaware Bay Section of the Shell Fisheries Council, three representatives from the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, three representatives from the oyster industry, the marine science representative of the Statewide Advisory Committee of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Board of Managers, and one member from the New Jersey Aquaculture Association. Appointments to the task force shall be made within 60 days of the effective date of this joint resolution.

 

    2. It shall be the duty of the task force to examine the status of oyster culture as currently practiced in New Jersey. The task force shall evaluate the technological, sociological and regulatory aspects of the harvesting and culture of oysters in the Delaware bay and adjacent waters. The task force shall define the problems confronting the oyster industry, including the causes for its reduced production and diminished economic return, examine feasible alternative strategies that might be utilized in reversing the negative trend in the industry, and provide a comprehensive plan of action for revitalization of the industry, including recommendations for actions to be taken by the Legislature and the Governor to address the technical, regulatory, and legal problems impeding the proper utilization of this valuable natural resource. The task force shall present a final report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than 180 days following the appointment of the members of the task force. The task force shall dissolve upon the issuance of its final report.

 

    3. The members of the task force shall serve without compensation.

 

    4. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately and shall expire upon the submission of the report required pursuant to section 2 of this act.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

    This joint resolution would establish the "Oyster Industry Revitalization Task Force." The task force would consist of 13 members as follows: two representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection, two representatives from the Department of Agriculture, one representative from the Delaware Bay Section of the Shell Fisheries Council, three representatives from the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, three representatives from the oyster industry, the marine science representative of the Statewide Advisory Committee of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Board of Managers, and one member from the New Jersey Aquaculture Association.

    The task force would examine the status of oyster culture as currently practiced in New Jersey. The task force would be directed to evaluate the technological, sociological and regulatory aspects of the harvesting and culture of oysters in the Delaware bay and adjacent waters. The task force would also be directed to define the problems confronting the oyster industry, including the causes for its reduced production and diminished economic return, examine feasible alternative strategies that might be utilized in reversing the negative trend in the industry, and provide a comprehensive plan of action for revitalization of the industry, including recommendations for actions to be taken by the Legislature and the Governor to address the technical, regulatory, and legal problems impeding the proper utilization of this valuable natural resource. The task force would be directed to present a final report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature no later than 180 days following the appointment of the members of the task force.

 

 

                             

 

Establishes "Oyster Industry Revitalization Task Force."