Shellfish Department

 

 

 2023 Shellfish Licenses go on sale December 1, 2022

There has been a 10 dollar increase in all Recreational Permits for 2023

Prices below in chart

Please plan ahead to get your shellfishing permit as it will take 24 hours to process, not including weekends.
Once you submit your form and pay online, at the blue link above you will receive an email letting you know when to pick it up.  Once you receive your email confirmation that your permit has been issued, permits can be picked up in a plastic box inside the back door of Town Hall, Mon.-Fri., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

----->Link to purchase Shellfish License<----

Link to Information about closed area at Indian Neck

Here is a map of the closed area at Indian Neck for quahog relay program closed area at Indian neck

 

 

 

https://www.wellfleet-ma.gov/shellfish-department/pages/recreational-shellfishing

Check our Facebook Page for quickest updates

Questions: (508)-349-0325

 

(( Indian Neck Recreational area is managed differently by the season look at dates below ))
 
Indian Neck Recreational area October 1 to May 30th -  Opened everyday 
 
 
June 1 to September 30  -Sunday and Wednesday only 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chipman's Cove: 
Opens the last Sunday in October through April 30th (30 minutes after sunset)
 
Duck Creek:    (Commercial ONLY)       
December 1st  until April 30 (30 minutes after sunset)
 
Herring River:  (Commercial ONLY)   
March ( approved water test)until August 31 ( 30 minutes after sunset)

Lieutenant Island SouthEveryday 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)

2023 Recreational Shellfishing Permit Fees  (( Fee's went up $10.00 for Recreational Permits))

Annual  Permits (Jan.1-Dec. 31)

Resident or Taxpaycr

70.00

Resident or Taxpayer over 65 years old

30.00

Nonresident or Nontaxpayer

220.00

Massachusetts Resident Veteran Permit*

70.00

Massachusetts Resident Veteran Permit over 65 years old *

30.00

Town of Wellfleet Employee

70.00

Town of Wellfleet Employee over 65 years old

30.00

 

 

 

Seasonal Noncommercial Permits (June 1 – Sept. 30)

Resident or Taxpayer

50.00

Non-resident or Non-taxpayer

95.00

Massachusetts Resident Veteran Permit*

50.00

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 Massachusetts Veteran Discount, applicants must provide:

1. A Massachusetts license bearing the Veteran seal,

2. A Massachusetts license and a DD-214 form

3. A Massachusetts license and a Veteran ID card issued by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affair

Recreational shellfishing is permitted with valid shellfish license. 
 

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.

Staff Contacts

Name Title Phone
Nancy Civetta Shellfish Constable 508.349.0325
John Mankevetch Assistant Constable for Propagation (12/31/2025) 508.349.0325
Christopher Manulla Deputy Shellfish Constable (12/31/2025) 508.349.0325