Cost:
Residents 62 & over - Free
Residents - $10
Non-residents - $50
Proof of residency may include a driver’s license or a name on a deed to Plymouth property. Call the Town Clerk’s Office (508-747-1620 x171) if neither proof is available.
Purchase by mail requires
• Copy of proof of residency
• Payment by check
• A stamped self-addressed envelope
• The following information: Name, address, height, weight, eye color, hair color
Town of Plymouth, MA
2010 General Shellfishing Regulations
1. Shellfishing regulations including seasons, digging areas and limits are established by the Board of Selectmen and enforced by the Harbormaster, Assistant Harbormasters and Shellfish Constables.
a. The Harbormaster Department may make changes, updates and revisions to shellfish regulations, as required.
c. Information may also be obtained by calling the Harbormaster Department at 508-830-4182.
2. Non-Criminal Disposition of Violations.
a. Anyone violating any provision of these Shellfish Regulations shall be subject to a penalty of $ 50.00 for the first offense, $100.00 for a second offense and $100.00 and the loss of permit for one year for a third offense.
b. A permit may be revoked for an offense at the discretion of the Harbormaster.
c. Each violation of each provision shall constitute a separate offense. For continued violations, each day or portion thereof during which a violation is continued shall constitute a separate offense.
3. A signed permit is required and must be on the person taking shellfish for use by the holder of the permit. Shellfish may only be taken for use as food or as bait and may not be sold.
4. The signed permit must be kept of the person of anyone harvesting shellfish and must be shown upon demand to enforcement officers along with any harvested shellfish. Additional identification such as a driver’s license or tribal identification card must be shown upon demand.
5. Permits are required for all persons over the age of 14. Children 14 and under may dig for shellfish if accompanied by a permit holder. The permit holder’s shellfish limit is not increased by the presence of the child.
6. Shellfish may only be dug with conventional tined tools. Shovels and hand or motor-powered digging tools are not permitted.
7. It is unlawful to dig for any shellfish in grass or within 20 feet of the roots of a marsh.
8. It is unlawful to remove the shells from shellfish before leaving the digging area.
9. It is unlawful to dig for shellfish between the hours of ½ hour after sunset and ½ hour before sunrise and when the air temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit/0 degrees Celsius.
10. Large holes must be filled-in by the digger.
11. It is unlawful for a person to harvest any part of another’s limit.
12. Sea clams may be harvested seven days a week throughout the year. The limit shall be 24 clams per calendar day.
13. Soft shell clams, quahogs, razor clams and mussels may only be dug two days per week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, during the months of April, May, September and October.
14. Permit holders may harvest any or all of these species in a digging day but singly or in the aggregate, the total daily limit is six (6) quarts.
15. No more than six (6) quarts of each species may be harvested in a week, which begins on Sunday.
16. When harvesting the species referenced in # 13 above, no container larger than 10 quarts may be brought to the digging area.
17. Softshell clams and quahogs must be at least two (2) inches in greatest length.
18. Shellfish may not be sold, wasted or bartered in any manner.
19. The taking of shellfish for any reason including for use as bait is prohibited in contaminated/closed areas.
20. The holder of any permit issued for digging and taking shellfish shall at all times conform to the above regulations and to the provisions of Chapter 130 of the M.G.L. and any subsequent amendments thereto.
APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN AT THE DECEMBER 1, 2009 MEETING. EFFECTIVE DATE JANUARY 1, 2010.
A True Copy Attest.
Laurence R. Pizer, Town Clerk
Please Note: Regulations are subject to change per order of the Harbormaster
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