Shellfish Department
2026 RECREATIONAL SHELLFISHING PERMITS WILL GO ON SALE ONLINE AND AT TOWN HALL DECEMBER 1ST 2025, AND MAY BE USED AS OF JANUARY 1ST 2026. Link Below
Link to Online Shellfish Permit 2026
https://www.wellfleet-ma.gov/shellfish-department/pages/recreational-shellfishing
Questions: (508)-349-0325
Lieutenant Island South: Everyday Oct. 1 - May 31
You must have your current year shellfish license with you. Recreation permit allows 10 quarts per week to be harvest ( Sunday-Saturday is week)
2025 Recreational Shellfishing Permit Fees
Annual Permits (Jan.1-Dec. 31) | |
Resident or Taxpayer | 70.00 |
Resident or Taxpayer over 65 years old | 30.00 |
Nonresident or Non-taxpayer | 220.00 |
U.S. Veteran Permit* | 70.00 |
U.S. Veteran Permit over 65 years old * | 30.00 |
| Resident Annual Junior Permit | 30.00 |
| Non-Resident Annual Junior Permit | 50.00 |
Town of Wellfleet Employee | 70.00 |
Town of Wellfleet Employee over 65 years old | 30.00
|
Wellfleet Domiciled Resident Veteran Permit | Free |
Seasonal Noncommercial Permits (June 1 – Sept. 30) | |
Resident or Taxpayer | 50.00 |
Non-resident or Non-taxpayer | 95.00 |
U.S. Veteran Permit* | 50.00 |
| Resident Seasonal Junior Permit | 25.00 |
| Non-resident Seasonal Junior Permit | 45.00 |
Town of Wellfleet employee | 50.00 |
|
|
Replacement Fee (for all categories) | 30.00 |
*Wellfleet residents and taxpayers must provide proof of residency or real estate tax bill at time of purchase.
*To enjoy the U.S. Veteran Discount, applicants must provide:
1. A U.S. driver’s license bearing the Veteran seal,
2. A U.S. driver’s license and a DD-214 form
3. A U.S. driver’s license and a Veteran ID card issued by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
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), quahogs 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.
Staff Contacts
| Name | Title | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Nancy Civetta | Shellfish Constable | 508.349.0325 |
| John Mankevetch | Assistant Constable for Propagation (12/31/2028) | 508.349.0325 |
| Chris Manulla | Deputy Shellfish Constable | |
| Sarah Comstock | Deputy Shellfish Constable |