Shellfish Department

***The Shellfish Department will be practicing social distancing of six feet between people, which means that we will ask you to move away as we inspect your catch.***

2020 Shellfish License available for purchase:

Recreational shellfishing permits will still be issued, but through the mail.

Download the recreational shellfishing application from the Recreational Shellfishing page of our website and mail it in with your proof of residency and supporting documents, a check and a self- addressed, stamped envelope. Types of permits and rates are below.  Please make check out to "Town of Wellfleet"

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

It will be mailed back to you, so plan ahead. You may not shellfish without a 2020 permit. Also, free three-inch oyster rings and permit holders are in a bag by the sliding glass doors at our office at the pier.

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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.