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Senate committee backs Jersey Fresh marketing for New Jersey aquaculture with $100,000 appropriation
Summary
The Senate Environment and Energy Committee voted to release S-216, which directs the Department of Agriculture to market state aquaculture through the Jersey Fresh program and establishes a $100,000 annual appropriation; industry witnesses said the measure would help New Jersey shellfish compete with out-of-state product.
The Senate Environment and Energy Committee voted to release Senate Bill 216, which directs the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to advertise and promote state aquaculture products through the Jersey Fresh program and establishes an annual $100,000 appropriation.
Supporters told the committee the appropriation and Jersey Fresh branding would help New Jersey shellfish producers compete against out-of-state suppliers. “This bill will promote New Jersey farm raised clams,” said Dale Parsons, who testified that his family business, Parsons Seafood of Tucker, dates to about 1909. Parsons said the bill would also create a standardized grading system for shellfish sizes and help wholesalers and farmers trade with confidence.
Edward Gain, representing the New Jersey Shellfish Association, said the Aquaculture Act already governs aquaculture regulation through the Department of Environmental Protection but that marketing support under the Department of Agriculture has been lacking. “Getting recognized by Jersey Fresh and into a brand such as Jersey Fresh that is recognized throughout the country is very important to our industry,” Gain said.
Several industry organizations, including the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Farm Bureau, Garden State Seafood Council, New Jersey Sustainable Business Council and New Jersey Shellfish Association, registered in favor and indicated no need to testify.
The committee adopted technical committee amendments to make the senate version identical to the Assembly version and released the bill on a roll-call vote. The committee’s action sends the measure to the full Senate for further consideration.
Votes at a glance: On the motion to release S-216 with committee amendments the roll call recorded Senators Tyver (yes), Space (yes), McKeon (yes) and Greenstein (yes); the committee chair was recorded absent at the start of the hearing; outcome: bill released to the Senate.
