Bill Text: NJ AR153 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognizes the scientific advancements made by the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory at Rutgers University.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3)
Status: (Introduced) 2026-09-17 - Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading [AR153 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-AR153-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman MAUREEN ROWAN
District 2 (Atlantic)
Assemblywoman LUANNE M. PETERPAUL
District 11 (Monmouth)
Assemblyman CLINTON CALABRESE
District 36 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Recognizes the scientific advancements made by the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory at Rutgers University.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution recognizing the scientific advancements made by the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory at Rutgers University.
Whereas, In 1888, research on oysters as an agricultural product began at Rutgers University, thanks to the efforts of biologist Julius Nelson, the first director of the Oyster Investigation Laboratory, which is now known as the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory; and
Whereas, Harold Haskin became the director of the Oyster Laboratory in 1950, beginning a new era of shellfish research that included hard clams, surf clams, and, in 1960, the breeding of oysters; and
Whereas, The Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory has been instrumental in the study and development of new oyster types for the benefit of aquatic environments and the aquaculture industry; and
Whereas, The oyster strains developed and bred by the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory have shown strong resistance to the MSX parasitic disease and moderate resistance to the Dermo disease; and
Whereas, Researchers at the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory invented a new type of triploid oyster; and
Whereas, The new triploid oyster developed by the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory is renowned for high quality summer meat, as well as for its sterility and the size and speed of its growth; and
Whereas, These triploid oysters now represent 30-50% of oysters produced in the United States and France, making them a staple within the aquaculture industry; and
Whereas, The Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory developed the Haskin NEH strain of oysters from the Northeastern oyster population, which shows improved survival rates in the Northeastern region; and
Whereas, The Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory developed the Haskin DBX strain of oysters from the Delaware Bay oyster population, which has a higher tolerance for the medium and low salinity regions of the lower Delaware Bay; and
Whereas,
The scientific advancements made by the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory at
Rutgers University have improved the quality of shellfish grown throughout the
world, thereby strengthening the aquaculture industry and increasing the
resilience of oysters in the face of ever-changing aquatic environments; now,
therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House recognizes the scientific advancements made by the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory at Rutgers University for the betterment of shellfish populations in New Jersey's waterways and the strengthening of the shellfish aquaculture industry throughout the world.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of the State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the President of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and to the Director of the Haskin Shellfish Research Lab.
STATEMENT
This resolution recognizes the scientific advancements made by the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory (laboratory) at Rutgers University.
The laboratory has been instrumental in the study and development of new oyster types for the benefit of aquatic environments and the aquaculture industry. The oyster strains developed and bred by the laboratory have shown strong to moderate resistance to the MSX parasitic disease and Dermo disease. Researchers at the laboratory invented a new type of triploid oyster that is renowned for high quality summer meat, as well as for its sterility and the size and speed of its growth. The new triploid oysters now represent 30-50% of oysters produced in the United States and France, making them a staple within the aquaculture industry.
In addition, the laboratory developed the Haskin NEH strain of oysters from the Northeastern oyster population, which shows improved survival rates in the Northeastern region. The laboratory also developed the Haskin DBX strain of oysters from the Delaware Bay oyster population, which has a higher tolerance for the low salinity regions of the lower Delaware Bay.
