TWO MILE LANDING — Assemblyman Samuel Fiocchi (R-1st) toured three aquaculture sites in Cape May County Aug. 6.
The first stop was to Atlantic Capes Fisheries to see Cape May Salt oysters and to get an update from Brian Harman, director for CMSO. Cape May Salts are individually grown oysters with clean, presentable shells that are easily shucked.
They harvest their oysters at 3 inches or larger so they are a robust and consistently large selection. Cape May Salts are harvested per order and are usually shipped within 24 hours of harvest.
Such fast turnaround guarantees the freshest oyster possible, he stated. Cape May Salt Oysters are available year round, according to a release.
Fiocchi’s then met with Director Greg DeBrosse of the Aquaculture Innovation Center and toured the North Cape May center.
That facility is used to stimulate economic growth, provide employment opportunities, act as a business incubator, assist in aquatic restoration efforts and move New Jersey’s aquaculture production into the global market place. The center is poised to play a critical role in the growth of aquaculture in New Jersey.
In addition to direct employment, aquaculture producers create jobs in shore-side communities such as seafood processing, marketing, transportation and vessel maintenance.
Fiocchi’s last stop was to the Rutgers Cape Shore Facility on Delaware Bay in Green Creek. Fiocchi toured the facility and received a briefing on the shellfish industry.
