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Barnegat Bay Shellfish Restoration Program

An opportunity to learn about Barnegat Bay ecology, become an environmental steward, and have a positive effect on bay waters by growing shellfish.

The Shellfish Restoration Program is a partnership between Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Game Bureau of Shellfisheries. Its goals are to educate the community about the natural cycle and ecology of the Barnegat Bay, to promote environmental stewardship, and to use clams and oysters as the teaching tool to achieve these goals--including improving the understanding of how human activities can degrade our waters and our shellfish populations. In addition, it is hoped that the increase in numbers and habitat of shellfish will provide water quality benefits to the Barnegat Bay. The program has been supported by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders, The Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the Exelon Corporation.

Now in its third year, the program offers an 8 week volunteer education program about shellfish aquaculture and water quality The instructors are scientists from the Rutgers Haskin Shellfish Research Lab, Cooperative Extension and the DEP. So far, over 70 volunteers have been trained, and they have raised 3.5 million clam seed, and 500,000 disease resistant oysters. Besides raising clams and oysters, the volunteers educate the public about shellfish, water quality, the Barnegat Bay, and wise use of resources to help keep the Barnegat Bay a treasured resource for years to come.

The volunteers have formed a non-profit organization to carry out our shared mission, and provide fundraising support to increase shellfish restoration efforts. They are called "ReClam the Bay!", and have a website dedicated to the activities of the program. Please visit www.reclamthebay.org to find out more about the volunteer experience For more information about the Barnegat Bay Shellfish Restoration Program, contact the Ocean County Extension office, and ask for Gef Flimlin or Cara Muscio.