ASSEMBLY AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 153

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

      The Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee reports favorably Assembly Resolution No. 153.

      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.