Funding is now available to New Jersey shellfish aquaculture producers to implement conservation practices that promote aquatic habitat on shellfish leases and enhance water quality through the NJ COASTAL Project, a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) agreement between the Ocean County Soil Conservation District (OCSCD) and the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  The target area for this project is the state's coastal bays, with a focus on the Barnegat and Great Bay region. 

While NRCS accepts applications year-round, New Jersey producers should apply by July 15, 2023 to be considered for funding. 

RCPP promotes coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand the collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. Through RCPP, NRCS seeks to co-invest with partners to implement projects that demonstrate innovative solutions to conservation challenges and provide measurable improvements and outcomes tied to the resource concerns they seek to address.

Under this funding opportunity, producers will be implementing:

• Restoration of Rare or Declining Natural Habitats for Oyster Reef Restoration

Producers who operate in the target area are encouraged to contact their local NRCS service center to apply. 

More information on aquaculture practices can be found here: New Jersey Aquaculture

Original source can be found here.