A New Jersey beach in Gloucester County is under a swim advisory due to high levels of bacteria, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Pet and wildlife waste, stormwater outflow pipes, as well as leaky sewer and septic systems are all common causes of water pollution. The state environmental agency monitors bacteria levels at more than 400 beaches and swimming sites around New Jersey each summer.

The department issued the swim advisory on June 10 at Monroe’s Timber Lakes Beach in Gloucester County, where levels of E. coli were double New Jersey’s safe swimming standard.

That same day, the environmental department lifted an earlier advisory on swimming at North Wildwood’s beach near 2nd Avenue and John F. Kennedy Beach Drive. Bacterial levels of enterococcus that exceeded safe swim standards on June 8 had returned to low levels by June 9, according to a second round of water tests shared by the department. Test results were not available until June 10.

Both enterococcus and E. coli are types of bacteria found in the intestines and feces of humans and animals. The microbes are used as indicator species to help health experts determine if other illness-cause viruses, parasites and other pathogens are likely present in water.

People with weakened immune systems, elderly adults and young children are most likely to become ill from swimming in contaminated water. The most common symptoms of swimming-related illnesses are diarrhea, skin rashes, flu-like symptoms, eye or lung irritation and ear infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Amanda Oglesby covers education and the environment. Reach her at aoglesby@app.com or 732-557-5701.

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The basics:

Ahead of Linda Doherty‘s planned January 2027 retirement as the leader of the New Jersey Food Council, the business trade association is looking for her replacement.

The Trenton-based group announced the launch of a nationwide search for its next president and CEO in a June 8 press release.

The kickoff comes four months after Doherty announced she would step down following more than two decades at the helm of the NJFC.

Altogether, New Jersey’s food distribution industry represents more than $157 billion in value. As part of its mission, the NJFC serves as the industry’s primary advocate before state legislators, regulators, coalition partners, media and the public.

Under her leadership, the group has grown to represent almost 400 entities. Members collectively employ more than 200,000 workers across retail food stores, wholesalers, manufacturing and service companies in the state.

Recent accomplishments include leadership on:

Getting things done

As the face of NJFC, Doherty is well known among national food retailers, Trenton’s political circles and communities across the state.

During her time with the organization, Doherty has notched many legislative victories. Watermarks include winning gift card litigation that went before the U.S. Supreme Court, overcoming the Superstorm Sandy crisis and preventing a New Jersey “bottle bill”.

NJBIZ has also recognized Doherty many times, including on the 2026 Power List.

The NJFC believes its next president and CEO “will inherit a financially stable, politically connected and highly respected organization.” The group also noted its “engaged board and a sophisticated membership base that includes many of the region’s most recognized food industry companies.”

ISO: Relationship builder

According to the NJFC, the new leader will oversee areas including operations, membership, sponsorships, communications, staff leadership, events, financial management and organizational strategy. They’ll report to the board of directors.

NJFC Chair Jason Read said, “We are looking for a leader who understands the complexity of our operating environment, who can build and sustain relationships at the highest levels, and who will carry this organization forward with the same credibility and effectiveness that has been our hallmark for decades. This is a defining moment for NJFC, and we are committed to finding the right person to lead us into our next chapter.”

The organization has engaged Stanton Chase International on the executive search. The timeline announced earlier this year initially called to have a successor in place by this fall to begin the transition. A spokesperson for the NJFC told NJBIZ that schedule remains on track.