Shellfish Department

2020 Shellfish License can be purchased at Town Hall

Annual Grant Reports and Grant fees due February 28th

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Lieutenant Island South:  Everyday Oct. 1 - May 31

You must have your current year shellfish license with you.

The Wellfleet Shellfish Department is responsible for managing shellfish resources, promoting shellfish propagation, monitoring water quality, and conserving Wellfleet's marine & estuarine resources.  Wellfleet Harbor is a federal No-Discharge Area, and has been designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern.

In Massachusetts, coastal municipalities manage shellfish resources within a three mile limit from shore.  In Wellfleet, the most common shellfish are oysters (Crassostrea virginica), quahaugs or hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria), soft shell clams (Mya arenaria) and bay scallops (Argopecten irradians).

This site is provided to encourage responsible, legal use of the Town's shellfish resources, answer questions you might have about shellfishing and shellfish in general, and promote interaction among members of the shellfishing community.