On August 27, 1997, a
new Rutgers University building was opened in Cape May on Delaware Avenue. In addition to housing the Multispecies Aquaculture Demonstration Facility's (MADF) administrative office, the building will also house the FIDC (Fisheries Information and Development Center), a joint program
between Rutgers University and the Cape May Seafood Association. This Center will develop two important programs designed to help maintain and enhance the
fisheries of New Jersey:
(1) an information center designed to provide the best available scientific information to fishermen, fisheries
managers, and the general public
(2) a research and development program designed to address the crucial challenges facing the fisheries
and to provide technical support for economic development within the fisheries.
The industry-funded clam research program is one of the activities
which will be coordinated by the FIDC. The FIDC also plans to oversee programs on gear technology, the population dynamics of commercial species, the
application of satellite data to fisheries and fisheries management, and the development of educational and outreach programs in fisheries and related
subjects.
The FIDC will be coordinated by Steve Carnahan, Executive Director of the
Cape
May Seafood Association and Eric Powell, Director of the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory. For more information concerning Jersey Seafood, contact the New Jersey Fish and Seafood Marketing Coalition on the world wide web.