N.J. Stat. § 50:2-1
No person shall catch or take shellfish from any of the natural grounds in the waters of this State, without first obtaining a license from the commissioner. Such licenses shall grant the privilege of taking shellfish upon any natural ground of this State in waters classified as "Approved" or "Seasonally Approved," as defined in rules and regulations adopted by the department pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L. 1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), except such as may be leased by the council.
Any person whose shellfish license or harvesting privileges have been revoked or suspended in another state shall not be eligible for any New Jersey shellfish license during the period of revocation or suspension in the other state.
This section shall not preclude the department from establishing licenses for the harvest of specific shellfish from specific areas by specific means.
N.J.S. § 50:2-1