cooperatives in New Jersey. Incorporated as a cooperative in the early 1950s, the Co-op (as it is known locally) is an integral part of the waterfront community of Point Pleasant Beach. Many of the Co-op's members are sons of the original founders. Several are third or fourth generation commercial fishermen.

Barnegat Light

Barnegat Light is on the northern end of Long Beach Island. Located adjacent to what was the infamous Barnegat Inlet before a multimillion dollar Corps of Engineers project brought it's fierce currents somewhat under control, Barnegat Light's two commercial docks service a fleet that ranges from small, local day boats to globe spanning long liners.

Several fishermen in Barnegat Light pioneered the deep water tilefish fishery back in the 1970s and through a successful marketing campaign turned this deliciousfish into the consumer's "poor man's lobster." Along with Montauk on the Eastern end of Long Island, Barnegat Light is still the center of this valuable fishery.

Barnegat Light is the home port of many members of the East Coast's long line fleet. Targeting several species of tuna as well as swordfish, on their several week or longer trips Barnegat Light long liners routinely fish from the high seas from hundreds to thousands of miles away. Barnegat Light is also home to several state-of-the-art scallop vessels and a fleet of smaller, inshore gill-netters.

Atlantic City

Docked in the shadow of the casinos in the Marina section, Atlantic City's commercial fishing fleet focuses almost exclusively on surf clams and ocean quahogs. This specialized fishery, accomplished primarily by larger (70 to 150 feet