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.***
2021Shellfish licenses will be able to be purchased online only (read details below):
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, the following day, you can retrieve it from the open slot in the back of the mailbox on the wall to the right of the backdoor of Town Hall. If you don't find it there, please call the Principal Clerk at 508-349-0300, ext. 1101. Thank you
https://www.wellfleet-ma.gov/shellfish-department/pages/recreational-shellfishing
Check our Facebook Page for quickest updates
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)
2021 Recreational Shellfishing Permit Fees
Annual Permits (Jan.1-Dec. 31) | |
Resident or Taxpaycr | 60.00 |
Resident or Taxpayer over 65 years old | 20.00 |
Nonresident or Nontaxpayer | 210.00 |
Massachusetts Resident Veteran Permit* | 60.00 |
Massachusetts Resident Veteran Permit over 65 years old * | 20.00 |
Town of Wellfleet Employee | 60.00 |
Town of Wellfleet Employee over 65 years old | 20.00
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Seasonal Noncommercial Permits (June 1 – Sept. 30) | |
Resident or Taxpayer | 40.00 |
Non-resident or Non-taxpayer | 85.00 |
Massachusetts Resident Veteran Permit* | 40.00 |
Town of Wellfleet employee | 40.00 |
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Replacement Fee (for all categories) | 20.00 |
*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
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 (12/31/2022) | 508-349-0325 |
| Christopher Manulla | Deputy Shellfish Constable (12/31/2022) | 508.349.0325 |