Lt. Governor Visits Viking Village

Emphasizing the contributions of New Jersey's seafood industry to advance the state and local economies, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno visited Viking Village in Barnegat Light, a commercial seafood production company.

Today’s visit marks Guadango's fifth stop on her month-long tour of agribusinesses across New Jersey, with a spotlight on the importance of New Jersey caught and processed seafood to the state and local economies. 

“Fresh and delicious seafood is a popular staple of New Jersey’s agriculture industry and is critical to both the state and local economies along the Jersey Shore,” said Guadagno in a press release. “New Jersey fisherman, seafood processors, truckers, restaurants and supermarkets all rely on a thriving New Jersey seafood industry for their livelihood. The Christie Administration is committed to continue making New Jersey a business-friendly environment to help companies like Viking Village succeed and expand in the state.” 

“Coastal development began as small fishing communities throughout New Jersey’s coastline. Through conservation and responsible fishing practices, we have every interest in protecting the healthful resource and the very valuable contribution economically to New Jersey,” said Viking Village general manager Ernie Panacek. “Commercial fishing parallels New Jersey’s very valuable agricultural industry, providing food essentially for the world populations. Fishermen are farmers too.”

In 2010, New Jersey fishermen reeled in 162 million pounds of seafood, valued at $178 million and helped generate a billion dollars of economic activity. The industry generates thousands of jobs, including 2,500 commercial fisherman, 1,500 of which are employed by 109 seafood processors and dealers.

The Jersey Seafood logo identifies local seafood and helps assure quality and is modeled after the state’s successful Jersey Fresh branding program for produce.