A GIS-BASED TOOL FOR SPATIAL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE IN NEW JERSEY
Michael P. De Luca*, Lucas Marxen2, Jeanne Herb3, Lisa Calvo4, David Bushek4,
Russ Babb5, Jeff Normant5,Michelle Stuart2, Zack Greenberg6, and Megan Kelly5
*Aquaculture Innovation Center, Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratories
Rutgers University
3920 Bayshore Drive
Cape May, NJ 08204
2Office of Research Analytics, Rutgers University, 88 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
3Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
4Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratories, Rutgers University, 6959 Miller Avenue, Port Norris, NJ 08349
5Bureau of Shellfisheries, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Nacote Creek Research Station, Port Republic, NJ 08241
6Pew Charitable Trusts, 901 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
With N ational Sea Grant support, a team of Rutgers University researchers, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is using geospatial tools to weigh and analyze data about conditions affecting shellfish production to develop an interactive tool that can identify areas that are suitable for shellfish aquaculture in New Jersey. Such a tool can be used as a resource to inform planning and policy regarding the diversity of uses of the State’s coastal resources , and to identify potential conflicts with other uses of coastal waters. The project is not a comprehensive spatial plan for shellfish aquaculture in New Jersey; rather, it is a data-informed tool that can be used by state and federal agencies and the stakeholder community for aquaculture and coastal management policy , planning and applications for shellfish aquaculture operations.
D ata that are incorporated into the interactive tool include:
- Hydrological characteristics;
- Areas not suitable for aquaculture development;
- Areas with physical limitations such as man-made obstructions;
- Climate and environmental data including information regarding current and projected climate or environmental conditions that could affect shellfish production;
- Current shellfish leased grounds ; and
- Social information regarding other coastal resource uses.
The project is complemented by funding from the Pew Charitable Trusts to survey areas for potential shellfish and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) restoration, and to map areas of shellfish and submerged aquatic vegetation where data are lacking to inform development of the GIS tool .