4:27-15 Aquaculture statistics, reporting assistance programs.

15. The Department of Agriculture:

a. in consultation with the Aquaculture Technology Transfer Center, the Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the Department of Environmental Protection, shall implement an aquaculture statistics reporting program which may include the collection of information on the numbers of jobs being created in aquaculture, the amount, value and type of product being produced, and the overall economic activity in the aquaculture industry;

b. in consultation with the Aquaculture Technology Transfer Center, and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, shall assist aquaculturists in obtaining coverage from federal crop insurance programs;

c. in consultation with the Aquaculture Technology Transfer Center and the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, shall assist aquaculturists in completing the proper paperwork and other information necessary to develop eligibility for economic emergency loans for disaster relief through the Farmers Services Agency and other programs;

d. in consultation with the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Association of State Aquaculture Coordinators, shall develop a monthly wholesale market report for aquaculture products;

e. in conjunction with the Aquaculture Technology Transfer Center and the Department of Health, shall assist the aquaculture industry in the development of necessary quality control guidelines and specifications for production, processing, and marketing of aquaculture products;

f. in conjunction with the Aquaculture Technology Transfer Center, shall assist (1) the aquaculture industry in promoting its products through techniques that may include the establishment and use of a trademark and other specialized marketing efforts; and (2) aquaculturists interested in developing coordinated efforts or arrangements, including producer cooperatives, joint ventures, market orders, and other forms of association; and

g. in conjunction with the Department of Health, the Department of Commerce and Economic Development, the Department of Environmental Protection shall explore the possibilities of establishing private sector joint processing facilities to accommodate agriculture, seafood, and aquaculture products.

L.1997, c.236, s.15; amended 2012, c.17, s.15.