Shellfish - FAQ's
What do I need to shellfish?
You must have a Mashpee Shellfish Permit or Wampanoag Tribal ID card (Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribal ID cards cannot be used for shellfishing), and have read the Mashpee Shellfish Regulations. Check shellfishing maps at town landings or Town Hall for closed or restricted areas.
Where do I get a shellfish permit?
Shellfish permits are issued at the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall. Town Hall hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 - 4:30. For the month of June and the first weekend in July, permits are also issued on Saturdays from 9:00 - noon at the Town Clerk's office.
Who is eligible for a permit?
Residents of and those who own property in the Town of Mashpee are eligible for Mashpee Shellfish Permits. Residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are also eligible. Refer to the Mashpee Shellfish Regulations for more details.
What shellfish are covered by the Mashpee Shellfish Regulations?
Harvest of quahogs, soft-shell clams, scallops (in season), mussels and razor clams is allowed as specified in the Mashpee Shellfish Regulations. The taking of oysters is prohibited until further notice due to the scarcity of oysters.
What is the limit to the quantity I can take?
Catch limits are established for each harvestable species and can be found in the Mashpee Shellfish Regulations.
What, if any, is the minimum size allowed for harvest?
Quahogs must be at least 1 inch thick (1 inch in the shortest dimension).
Soft-shell clams must be at least 2 inches shell length (longest dimension of the shell). (The siphon is not included in measurement.)
Scallops must have a well defined annual growth ring in the shell, regardless of size.
What do I do with shellfish that are too small to keep legally?
Shellfish that have not reached harvestable size are classifed as seed. Seed shellfish must immediately be removed from the catch and returned to the same area from which they were taken.
Can I shellfish every day of the week?
Non-commercial shellfishing is allowed between sunrise and sunset 7 days per week. Refer to Mashpee Shellfish Regulations for commercial shellfishing days.
Where am I allowed to shellfish?
Shellfishing is allowed in the Town of Mashpee up to the high tide shoreline, except in areas closed because of contamination or otherwise restricted by the Mashpee Shellfish Regulations. Refer to the shellfishing maps for closed or restricted areas.
Also, the Towns of Mashpee and Falmouth have a long-standing reciprocal agreement to share Waquoit Bay for shellfishing. Mashpee permit holders must follow the Falmouth Shellfish Regulations when shellfishing on the Falmouth side of Waquoit Bay. The agreement applies only to Waquoit Bay, not the rivers and salt ponds.
How do I find out what areas are closed?
Check shellfishing maps at town landings or Town Hall before shellfishing, or call the Shellfish Department at 508-539-1439.
What areas are reserved for non-commercial (family) shellfishing?
There are areas reserved for non-commercial (family) shellfishing (where commercial shellfishing is not allowed) in Waquoit Bay, Great River, Hamblin Pond and Popponesset Bay. Non-commercial (family) shellfishing is allowed in other open areas as well.
What are the best ways to transport and keep shellfish?
After leaving the water, shellfish should be transported in air (not in water) as cool as possible (not frozen). Shellfish should be kept in the refrigerator in a non-airtight container. This is because there is much more oxygen in air than in water.
Returning shellfish to waters other than where they were harvested is not allowed.
How do I tell if a shellfish is alive?
Shellfish are alive if the shells are closed and cannot be pulled open. If they are alive and their shells are open, they will close when you pick them up.
When does the Shellfish Commission meet?
The Shellfish Commission usually meets at 7:00 PM on the second Tuesday of the month at the the DPW building (350 Meetinghouse Rd.).
| 
