Recreational Shellfishing Crier

Town Recreational Shellfishing Crier

April 8, 2024

1. Welcoming New Deputy Shellfish Constable

As of the beginning of March, the Shellfish Department has welcomed Sarah Comstock as a Deputy Shellfish Constable. She will be responsible for recreational shellfishing and assisting Shellfish Constable Nancy Civetta with administration and paperwork. Prior to joining the department, Sarah spent a year in AmeriCorps Cape Cod and served with the Wellfleet Shellfish Department. She also worked on a Wellfleet oyster farm for many years. She is excited to meet everyone on the flats!
 

1. Area Openings and Closures Update

   1. Chipman’s Cove is open and will be closing on April 30.

   2. Until May 31, recreational shellfishing is open from Indian Neck south to Lieutenant’s Island seven days a week.

   3. Beginning June 1 through September 30, recreational shellfishing may only take place within the Indian Neck recreational shellfishing area, and only on Sundays and Wednesdays. 

   4. Although you may see many bay scallops, the season is closed, and they cannot be taken again until October 1.

   5. As always, the limit for mixed shellfish harvest is one 10-quart wire basket a week.

1. Thank you for always reporting your catches to shellfish@wellfleet-ma.gov!

These numbers are essential for our department to keep our finger on the pulse of our beloved wild shellfishing, enabling us to enhance our propagation efforts to keep our tidal flats well stocked and proliferating. Hard data helps us quantify the year-round value of our shellfishery. This informs our propagation efforts, which in turn means better wild picking for everyone!

1. REMINDERS

   1. Taking of Seed Prohibited: oysters must measure at least three inches long and quahogs must measure at least one inch across the hinge width. By allowing shellfish to mature to legal sizes, you can reasonably assume that the animal has spawned, thus contributing to future populations of wild shellfish in Wellfleet Harbor. 

   2. Limits: Each recreational permit holder is allowed one 10-quart basket per week, not per day, of any kind of mixed shellfish. Once shellfish is in your basket, it is considered your catch; therefore, you should measure and cull as you go before placing it in your basket.

   3. Quick Reference Links:   Regulations   Measuring   Open/Closed Areas & Directions

1. If you haven’t yet, please remember to pick up your shellfish permit.

You must have your current valid permit in your possession on the flats in order to harvest. It will be in an envelope with your name on it, filed in alphabetical order, in a metal box at the Shellfish/Beach Dept. office at the Town Pier.

Contact Nancy at nancy.civetta@wellfleet-ma.gov or 508-349-0325 with ideas on how the Shellfish Department can help or improve shellfishing. Thank you!

Contact Nancy at nancy.civetta@wellfleet-ma.gov or 508-349-0325 with ideas on how the Shellfish Department can help or improve shellfishing. Thank you!

Nancy Civetta                     John Mankevetch                      Chris Manulla

                 Shellfish Constable       Assistant Shellfish Constable      Deputy Shellfish Constable