N.J. Stat. tit. 4, ch. 2A

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 4:2A-1 Definitions

As used in this act: a. "Nutria" shall mean any animal of the species Myocaster coypu. b. "Department" shall mean the Department of Agriculture. c. "Secretary" shall mean the Secretary of Agriculture. d. "Person" shall mean any individual, partnership, corporation, firm or business association. L.1962, c. 126, s. 1, eff. July 25, 1962.

N.J. Stat. § 4:2A-2 Release of, or allowing nutria to escape from captivity prohibited

No person shall release, cause or permit to be released, or allow to escape from captivity any nutria within the State. L.1962, c. 126, s. 2.

N.J. Stat. § 4:2A-3 Registration and certificate required to raise and breed nutria; fee; form and contents of application

No person shall engage in raising or breeding nutria until he has registered with the department and received a certificate of such registration. A certificate of registration shall be required for each separate location whereat nutria are to be raised or bred. The registration fee shall be $1.00 and every certificate of registration shall be valid so long as the certificate holder continues his operation at the registered location and complies with the rules and regulations of the department. Every application for registration shall be on forms supplied by the department and shall contain the name, address and location of the nutria farm or farms of the applicant and such other information as the department may require or deem necessary for proper records. L.1962, c. 126, s. 3.

N.J. Stat. § 4:2A-4 Rules and regulations

The department may adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this act and shall adopt rules and regulations to govern the manner, means, methods and conditions under which nutria shall be housed or confined as are necessary to prevent their release and escape from captivity. L.1962, c. 126, s. 4.

N.J. Stat. § 4:2A-5 Inspection of premises; revocation of certificate

The secretary individually or through his duly authorized representatives may inspect at any time any premises upon which nutria are raised, bred, housed or confined to insure compliance with the provisions of this act and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder, and may revoke the certificate of registration of any person failing to comply with this act and any of said rules or regulations. L.1962, c. 126, s. 5.

N.J. Stat. § 4:2A-6 Penalties; enforcement of act

6. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this act, or the rules and regulations thereunder, shall be liable to a penalty of not more than $50.00 for the first offense, and not more than $200.00 for any subsequent offense. For the purposes of section 2 of this act a master shall be liable for the actions of his servant to the same extent as the servant. Penalties set forth in this act shall be sued for by and in the name of the secretary and shall be recoverable with costs. The Superior Court and municipal courts shall have jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this act. Any proceeding for a violation of this act may be brought in the municipality where the violator resides, has a place of business, or principal office or where the act or omission or part thereof complained of occurred. The proceeding shall be summary in nature and in accordance with the penalty enforcement law (N.J.S.2A:58-1 et seq.). In addition, the secretary may apply to the Superior Court for a judgment to restrain any violation or continuing violations of this act and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder. L.1962,c.126,s.6; amended 1991,c.91,s.153.

N.J. Stat. § 4:2A-7 Registration of present breeders; time

Any person presently engaged in raising or breeding nutria shall have 90 days from the effective date of this act within which to register with the department. L.1962, c. 126, s. 7.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026