For purposes of this subchapter, the following words, terms, and phrases shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Aquatic Farmer License" means the formal license issued by the Department pursuant to N.J.A.C. 2:89 for the possession and ownership of aquatic organisms by a person, firm, partnership, corporation, cooperative or association.
"Aquatic organism" means an animal or plant of any species or hybrid thereof and includes gametes, seeds, eggs, sperm, larvae, and juvenile and adult stages, any of which is required to be in water during that stage of its life. This definition does not include birds and mammals.
"Department" means the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
"Depuration" means the process of reducing the pathogenic organisms that may be present in shellfish by using a controlled environment as a treatment option.
"Farmed shellfish" means clams and/or oysters that are farm-raised and packed in New Jersey.
"Farmer" or "aquatic farmer" means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, cooperative or association who is engaged in propagating, rearing and subsequent harvesting of aquatic organisms in controlled or selected environments for economic gain within the State of New Jersey and shall include, but is not limited to, activities to intervene in the rearing process to increase production, such as stocking, feeding, transplanting and providing for protection from predators.
"Finfish" means any vertebrate aquatic organism other than mammals and birds.
"Harvester" or "commercial seafood harvester" means a person, firm, partnership, corporation, cooperative or association who is engaged in harvesting wild aquatic organisms for economic gain under strict management programs instituted by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to maintain sustainable fishery resources.
"Licensed seafood commodity" or "licensed seafood commodities" means any aquatic organism that is farm-raised or wild caught and packed in New Jersey, which are the subject of a license issued by the Department pursuant to N.J.A.C. 2:71-9.4.
"Licensee" means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, cooperative or association licensed by the Department pursuant to N.J.A.C. 2:71-9.4.
"Packer" means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, cooperative or association engaged in the business of processing and packaging aquatic organisms within the State of New Jersey and distributing it to wholesalers or retailers.
"Program" means the Jersey Seafood Quality Grading Program established pursuant to this subchapter.
"Seafood" means any finfish, mollusk, crustacean, other invertebrate or aquatic vegetable produced in either freshwater or saltwater and used for human food.
"Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture of the State of New Jersey or his or her designee.
"Shellfish" means clams, oysters, mussels and scallops that are harvested and packed in New Jersey.
"Shellfish grower" means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, cooperative or association who is engaged in propagating, rearing and subsequent harvesting of shellfish in controlled or selected environments for economic gain and shall include, but is not limited to, activities to intervene in the rearing process to increase production, such as stocking, feeding, transplanting and protection from predators.
N.J. Admin. Code § 2:71-9.2