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  Bureau of Marine Water Monitoring



Shellfish growing area NE-1 is located in northern New Jersey between Middlesex and Monmouth Counties, and situated within the Hudson-Raritan Estuary (also known as the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary). The Hudson-Raritan Estuary is one of the most diverse places on the east coast. It is home to millions of residents, ports, industries, and transportation complexes. This estuary is one of the larger estuaries on the East coast, with over 10 millions acres and is divided into four major complexes: Raritan-Sandy Hook Bay, Newark Bay, Upper/Lower New York Bay, and Jamaica Bay. Growing Area NE-1 lies within the Raritan-Sandy Hook Bay complex. This complex is the largest complex in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary, with a surface area of approximately 69,188 acres and includes two major waterbodies - Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook Bay. The approximate size of this shellfish growing area is 33,080 acres, which is roughly half of the Raritan-Sandy Hook Bay complex.

Status: The current shellfish classifications are Restricted (77%) and Prohibited (23%). There are no Approved or Conditionally Approved waters assigned to this growing area. Sandy Hook Bay is classified as Restricted, except for a small buffer zone that surrounds the Atlantic Highland Municipal Marina, which is classified as Prohibited. Because this growing area is classified as Restricted and Prohibited, there is no direct market of shellfish harvested from this area. Shellfish that are harvested must undergo either depuration or relay before they are marketable. Depuration is used for 100 percent of hard clams harvested from the Restricted waters of this growing area.

Most recent Reappraisal Report

Most recent Sanitary Survey Report

Raritan Bay/Sandy Hook Bay Shellfish Classification

Click map to enlarge


Raritan Bay/Sandy Hook Bay Photo Raritan Bay/Sandy Hook Bay Photo Raritan Bay/Sandy Hook Bay Photo Raritan Bay/Sandy Hook Bay Photo

Photo Credit: NJDEP