Explore Aquaculture Areas in Mid-Atlantic Waters
A new Aquaculture theme on the Portal contains nine maps showing areas along the Mid-Atlantic coast where aquaculture activities are permitted or managed by state authorities. The maps were assembled by MARCO in consultation with the Mid-Atlantic states to assist with ocean planning and raise awareness of sites in bays, rivers, estuaries and other coastal waters where aquaculture operations and leases are active.
Aquaculture is the cultivation of aquatic organisms such as shellfish, fish, and algae in controlled environments. The Mid-Atlantic’s nearshore waters are home to a thriving aquaculture industry which is primarily focused on farming shellfish such as oysters and clams as seafood.
The data layers in the Aquaculture theme are organized by state. Users may click on state names for a dropdown of available layers when more than one is available.
Below is a list of maps available on the Portal. Given the small size of aquaculture areas, it is recommended that users zoom in close to each state of interest.
DELAWARE
(Click here to view the two Delaware layers together.)
Delaware Bay Leasable Oyster Grounds (DNREC): The boundary of bottom areas in the Delaware Bay that are available through the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) for oyster leases.
Delaware Shellfish Aquaculture (DNREC): The location of aquaculture leases within the coastal waters of Delaware. Users may also visit DNREC’s Shellfish Aquaculture map for further information.
MARYLAND
Maryland Active Oyster Leases (Maryland DNR): The locations of active oyster leases in state waters per the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Visit the Maryland Aquaculture Siting Tool for further information.
NEW JERSEY
(Click here to view the four New Jersey layers together.)
Shellfish Leases (NJDEP): The location of all current shellfish leases in the Atlantic Coast and Delaware Bay regions of New Jersey.
NJDEP Land Resource Protection (LRP) Bureau of Tidelands Aquaculture License Areas in New Jersey: Depicts NJDEP Bureau of Tidelands aquaculture license area features
Shellfish Lease Exclusion Areas (NJDEP): Regulatory or policy areas where leases are exclusive, limited, not allowed or where no new leases are permitted.
Shellfish Lease Sections (NJDEP): The location of shellfish lease sections created to facilitate the shellfish leasing program along the Atlantic coast of New Jersey and in the Delaware Bay.
NEW YORK
New York Aquaculture Lease Sites (NYSDOS): Displays the locations of operating marine aquaculture facilities based on the best available information from state aquaculture coordinators and programs.
VIRGINIA
Virginia Private Oyster Leases (VMRC): The boundaries of underwater lands leased to private oyster and clam growers. Visit the Virginia Marine Resources Commission Chesapeake Bay Map for further information.
MARCO wishes to thank the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New York State Department of State, and Virginia Marine Resources Commission for providing and maintaining these datasets.
Further map products showing aquaculture and shellfish harvest areas will be added to the Portal in the year ahead.
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