Portion of Northern Barnegat Bay in Brick Closed to Shellfishing

Shellfish farms in Brick Township on northern Barnegat Bay. (Photo: Shorebeat)

New Jersey officials on Monday announced the closure of an 85.3-acre swath of northern Barnegat Bay to shellfishing after bacteria was found during testing.

The state Department of Environmental Protection said the area known as Swan Point, located in Brick Township diagonally southwest of the Mantoloking Bridge, would be closed to shellfishing immediately. The area primarily is used for oyster harvesting, with its catch prized worldwide – especially in parts of Asia – due to the unique salinity level of the water in the area. “Mantoloking” oysters, as they are known, are popular in some of the highest-end restaurants in major cities.

The DEP said the area was closed “in order to protect the public health from the risk posed by the consumption of shellfish that may have been subjected to pollution or other conditions that may render the shellfish dangerous to health.”

---

Get Brick News Updates Daily Your email address:* Please enter all required fields Correct invalid entries

Swam Point shellfishing closure map. (NJDEP)

Specifically, the DEP found fecal coliform bacteria levels above those permitted. The specific levels of bacteria detected were not divulged in a copy of the administrative order closing Swan Point, though New Jersey’s standard for approved shellfishing grounds is 14 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters with a 90th percentile of 31 colony-forming units.

The state will continue testing the area until it is determined that water quality has improved to meet the standard for “approved” commercial shellfishing.