Regulations
General Rules
- Shellfish Permits expire at the close of the season each fiscal year. Applicants for a Shellfish Permit for the next year shall first submit a Catch Report for the prior year.
- No person shall take or attempt to take shellfish or sea worms, herring or eels within the Town without a valid Sandwich Shellfish Permit and be in possession of a standardized shellfish measuring device appropriate for determining legality of his/her catch.
- Shellfish Permits shall be visibly displayed on the permit holder in plain view on outer clothing while shellfishing, landing, and/or transporting ashore.
- Permit holders may take guests to harvest shellfish with them as long as only one (1) weekly limit is taken. The permit holder is responsible for any violations of these regulations by their guests, and must be present when permit is in use.
- All shellfish, sea worms, herring, and eels are subject to inspection. Shellfish must be brought ashore intact in the shell. Permit holders, upon the request of the Enforcing Agent shall display their catch, permit, and shellfish gauge and must land, walk ashore, or deliver shellfish at or to any place designated to allow for inspection.
- No person shall offer for sale, for money or other consideration, any shellfish, sea worms, herring, or eels taken under a Recreational Shellfish Permit.
- Permits are not transferable without the written permission of the Town Manager or Shellfish Constable.
- No person (child) under 16 shall be allowed to use a shellfish permit unless accompanied by an adult with a valid Sandwich Shellfish Permit.
- Shellfish harvest is only allowed in approved Open Areas. Any area not specifically designated as an Open Area shall be considered a Closed Area.
- All shellfish harvested, with the exception of sea clams, sea worms, and eels, shall only be contained and transported in a standard ten (10) quart metal wire Peck Basket, as defined by these regulations.
- The Wet Storage of all shellfish in all Town waters is prohibited.
- Starfish, green crabs, conch, moon snails, oyster drills, or winkles shall not be returned to the waters, but shall be placed above the high water mark or some other suitable place out of the water.
Harvest Restrictions
- Shellfishing is allowed, except as otherwise stated, during eastern standard time from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM or sunset, whichever occurs first, and during daylight savings time 6:00 AM to 7:30 PM or sunset, whichever occurs first, on days open to shellfishing.
- No person shall take or attempt to take shellfish, eels, or sea worms during the nighttime hours between sunset and before sunrise.
- Sea worms may be taken daily in areas currently open to the taking of shellfish. Eels may be taken in any marine waters, within the Town, daily. Five (5) eel limit per day.
- Dry digging for softshell clams and quahogs is prohibited when the air temperature is at 28°F or below. A determination of the air temperature will be made by the Shellfish Constable or the Senior Deputy Shellfish Constable on duty.
Weekly Harvest Limits
| Species | Limit |
|---|---|
| Softshell Clams | one level half (1/2) peck per calendar week |
| Quahogs | one (1) level peck per week |
| Blue Mussels | one level half (1/2) peck per week |
| Razor Clams | one level half (1/2) peck per week |
| Oysters | as determined by the Shellfish Constable |
| Sea Clams | ten (10) per week |
| Sea Worms | not more than twenty five (25) per day |
| Eels | not more than five (5) per day |
Minimum Size Limits
| Species | Minimum Size |
|---|---|
| Softshell Clams | two (2) inches in the longest diameter |
| Quahogs | one (1) inch shell thickness |
| Oysters | three (3) inches in the longest diameter |
| Blue mussels | two (2) inches in the longest diameter |
| Sea clams | five (5) inches in the longest diameter |
| Eels | less than nine (9) inches in total length |
Gear Restrictions
- Soft shell clams, sea worms, and razor clams may be taken with a standard clam rake. No shovels, pitchforks, garden hoes, or other devices, implements, or materials shall be used.
- Quahogs, oysters, and sea clams may be taken by hand, shellfish rakes, and by a mini-bull rake with a mouth not to exceed twelve (12) inches in width and a handle not to exceed eighty four (84) inches in total length. No handle extensions are allowed.
- Skin or scuba diving for the taking of shellfish is strictly prohibited within Town waters unless prior written approval is requested and received from the Shellfish Constable.