Index

Shellfishing Regulations

Recreational Shellfishing Areas

Maps

History of Shellfishing in Provincetown

Aquaculture

Catch Reports

Red Tide Information

Shellfishing Regulations:

Printable version of Regulations

Recreational shellfishing is allowed ONLY in the below designated areas during open periods. The shellfish areas are rotated to allow juveniles time to develop into legal size (see below for specific open dates for each areas).

Fees: $15.00 for residents, $50.00 for non-residents, seniors are free.

Licenses and guages can be purchased at Provincetown Town Hall.

During open periods, shellfish may only be harvested on Sunday and Friday of each week.  Permit holders may only shellfish one of these days per week.

Quahogs must be one inch thick, soft-shelled clams must be two inches long, and oysters must be three inches long.  Possession of a gauge is required or you will be denied access to the tidal flats.

The weekly limit for recreational permit holders for any combination of quahogs, soft-shelled clams, and oysters is either one level 10 quart pail or a peck shellfish basket.  No other containers are allowed on the tidal flats.  The sea clam limit is one bushel per week.  If bay scallops are abundant the Shellfish Constable will post their taking and the recreational limit shall be two pecks per week.

No permit is required for sea worms, periwinkles, and mussels, which may be taken year round.

Upon leaving the flats, all recreational shellfish harvesters must report to the Shellfish Constable who maintains a record of the town's yearly harvest.

Violations of the above regulations shall be punishable by a fine of no less than $50 and no more than $300 and/or revocation of license or permit.

Recreational Shellfishing Areas:

The following areas are designated for recreational shellfishing on a conditional basis.  Please refer to the below table for the opening and closing dates of each area.

Maps:

Click on the below links for a map of each area.

Hatches Harbor – Harbor located between Herring Cove Beach (New Beach) and Race Point Beach

West End – Area in Provincetown Harbor from Captain Jack's Wharf to Provincetown Inn

West of Breakwater- Area is located directly to the west of the Provincetown breakwater

East of Breakwater – Area is located directly to the east of the Provincetown breakwater

East End – Area in Provincetown Harbor from Allerton St. to the Truro town line.breakwater

Eelgrass Coverage – Overview of eelgrass coverage in Provincetown..

Orthographic Maps:

The maps below contain orthographic imagery.

Hatches Harbor – Harbor located between Herring Cove Beach (New Beach) and Race Point Beach

Breakwater – Area covering the east and west of the Provincetown breakwater

East End – Area in Provincetown Harbor from Allerton St. to the Truro town line. 

Provincetow Harbor – This map shows all of Provincetown Harbor.

History of Shellfishing in Provincetown:

Shellfishing is a popular recreational activity in Provincetown and has a long history dating back centuries. To learn more about the past, present, and future of Provincetown's shellfish, click on the article below.

Shellfishing in Provincetown Harbor

Private Grants:

Applications for private aquaculture grants in Provincetown Harbor must be received between November 15th and December 15th of each year.  You can download an application and map of existing aquaculture grants below.

Grant Applications

Aquaculture Grants - Map

Red Tide Information:

Click on the below link for valuable information about Red Tide on Cape Cod, provided by the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension.

Red Tide FAQs