Woodbridge residents press council to act as mayor says township authority limited to farm animals

Dozens of residents urged the Woodbridge Township Council on Feb. (public comment date not specified) to revoke SeaQuest Woodbridge’s permits and turn its animals over to sanctuaries, saying the aquarium’s interactive exhibits harm animals and pose public‑health risks. Mayor Mary McCormick told the council the township’s direct jurisdiction covers only the farm animals on site — “a pig, two goats, three rabbits and four chickens” — and that inspections by township officials and an independent veterinarian found no evidence of abuse.

Why it matters: Residents and animal‑welfare advocates told the council they have documented more than 100 animal deaths at SeaQuest locations since 2019, described missing veterinary records, and warned that the company’s reported financial problems increase the risk to animals. The matter sits at the intersection of municipal public‑health authority, state wildlife regulation and federal oversight; speakers urged the township to use every available local tool while petitioning state and federal agencies to act.

Mayor’s report and township inspections

Mayor Mary McCormick opened the council’s public comment period with an update on SeaQuest. She said most of SeaQuest’s operation falls under the state Department of Environmental Protection and federal oversight, and that the township’s legal authority applies only to the small group of farm animals kept under the township farm‑animal permit. McCormick said township health inspectors and police detectives have visited the site at residents’ requests and that the township arranged an unannounced inspection by a privately contracted veterinarian.

McCormick said the independent veterinarian examined the farm animals “yesterday” and found no evidence of abuse; the only issue noted in the report was common dermatitis affecting a pot‑bellied pig that was already receiving treatment from the on‑site veterinarian. Based on those inspections, McCormick said the township currently has “no reason to take any action” against SeaQuest for the animals that fall under municipal jurisdiction and that revoking the township’s farm permit without a legal basis would invite legal challenge.

What residents told the council

Speakers at the microphone called for stronger action. Jessica (Avenel) and several others described missing or incomplete veterinary records and urged the council to use township authority to seize or rehouse animals. Ryan Feldman (Bridgeton) urged the council to revoke permits and said about 100 animals have died at SeaQuest locations since February 2019; he also said rescue groups stand ready to accept animals. Michelle Granberg (Bridgeton), who identified herself as affiliated with a rescue called Uncle Neil’s Home, gave the council a list of vetted sanctuaries willing to take animals if the township could legally transfer them.

Other speakers, including volunteers and sanctuary representatives, described behavioral and housing concerns for a range of species at SeaQuest and urged the township to press state and federal agencies for records and enforcement. Several public speakers requested copies of inspection reports and death records; the council and mayor’s office repeatedly directed requesters to file Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests for documents the township does not already hold.

Jurisdictional limits and next steps

Township officials repeatedly told the public that species governed by federal or state permits — fish, certain exotic birds, reptiles and other non‑farm animals — fall under the authority of agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, New Jersey Fish and Wildlife, or the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Council members and the mayor said the township will forward complaints to the appropriate state or federal agency when warranted, will accept OPRA requests for records the township holds, and will investigate complaints that concern the animals covered by the township’s farm permit.

Several commenters said SeaQuest’s parent company has filed for bankruptcy or otherwise signaled financial distress and warned that limited funds increase the risk of untreated illness or death among the animals. Speakers said they had been unable to obtain comprehensive veterinary records through OPRA and asked the council to demand documentation; the township said it inspected on‑site records during permit review and would ask SeaQuest for any additional records it could provide.

No formal council action on SeaQuest

Council members did not vote on any SeaQuest‑specific penalties or ordinance changes at the meeting. The mayor and council reiterated the township’s limited legal authority but acknowledged the volume of public concern and described procedures for reporting future complaints: farm‑animal concerns to the Woodbridge Health Department; other regulated‑species concerns to state or federal agencies. Several residents said they will continue to press for a municipal ordinance to limit interactive animal exhibits; the council did not schedule any ordinance vote related to SeaQuest at the meeting.

Ending

Speakers left the council with a list of requests — copies of veterinary and USDA/Fish & Wildlife reports, a public record search and referrals to state and federal regulators — and a continuing push for local tools to reduce the risk of harm. Township officials said they will accept OPRA requests for records the township holds, log complaints through the health department, and pass substantiated concerns to the agencies with direct regulatory authority.