Money Island, New Jersey, a small, weather-worn village on the Delaware Bay may not be widely known, but in the world of commercial fishing, it stands as a giant. Often promoted as New Jersey’s second most productive seafood landing port, this coastal community plays a pivotal role in sustaining one of the state’s most valuable marine industries.
🐚 A Hub of Oyster Commerce
At the heart of Money Island’s seafood success is the Delaware Bay oyster industry, which is the port’s primary economic driver. According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, Money Island is the state’s most important oyster landing site, directly contributing millions to the state’s economy annually. In a recent year alone, $5.732 million worth of oysters were offloaded at the port, as reported by NJ Spotlight News, Feb. 2021.
When the broader economic impact is considered, using standard industry multipliers, Money Island’s oyster trade is estimated to be worth over $30 million annually according to Pulitzer Center in 2021.
🦀 More Than Just Oysters
While oysters are the crown jewel, Money Island’s docks also support a variety of other catches. Local watermen harvest:
- Blue claw crabs
- Soft-shell crabs
- Menhaden
- Conch
- Eels
⚓ A Destination for Recreational Boaters
Beyond its commercial significance, Money Island is a valuable resource for recreational marine users. Boaters, kayakers, and sportfishers utilize the area for its rich ecological diversity and access to the Delaware Bay. The protected creeks and coves near the port provide calm waters ideal for small-craft navigation, birdwatching, and seasonal crabbing. Despite limited facilities, local marinas and ramps offer launch points for residents and tourists seeking the serenity and adventure of the bay’s western shore. Continued public access and preservation of these waterways are critical for supporting both the working waterfront and the region’s growing eco-tourism and recreational economy.
🌊 Strategic Location & Infrastructure
Money Island’s position on the bay makes it indispensable. Located closer to the oyster beds than other ports, it serves as a midpoint between the harvest sites and the refrigeration and processing facilities in Bivalve, NJ. This proximity became critical after health regulations began requiring oysters to reach refrigeration within seven hours of harvest, making the port a necessary stopover (NJ Spotlight News, 2021). Money Island is located at the midway point on the intercoastal waterway between Cape May and the C&D Canal, making it an ideal stopover point for transient boats.
This strategic advantage is maintained by keeping pace with environmental and infrastructure challenges. The Nantuxent Cove, which gives Money Island its access to the bay, has required dredging to remain navigable for larger commercial vessels. These dredging projects, supported by state and federal funding, are essential to the port’s future viability (NJ DOT Press Release, Oct. 2021). The road serving Money Island is raised every few years.
📈 An Economic Anchor for the Region
Money Island anchors a significant segment of the region’s seafood economy. The Delaware Bay oyster industry alone has grown to $42 million, and the wider seafood sector employs hundreds in the surrounding areas. Despite being battered by storms and rising seas, the community’s working waterfront remains vital to New Jersey’s $1 billion commercial fishing industry (NJ DOT, 2021).
🛠️ Looking Ahead
Continued investment in dredging, shoreline stabilization, boat dock reconstruction, and sustainable infrastructure will be key to preserving this port’s operations. Without it, the state risks losing not only a seafood powerhouse but also the culture, history, and economic backbone of a unique coastal community long referred to as “New Jersey’s diamond in the rough”.