Fishing and Shel lfish Regulations
The Marine and Coastal Resources Department , located at the Police Station at 4 Fairgrounds Road , is responsible for issuing all commercial and non-commercial permits for shellfishing . The resident / property owner ( proof required ) permit is $ 25 and the non-resident permit is $ 100 . Both are for individuals over the age of 14 . Call 508-228-7261 for details . For your convenience , the Chamber of Commerce website www . nantucketchamber . org offers a link to the MA Division of Marine Fisheries site which contains helpful information about regulations and permits for both commercial and recreational fishing .
ACTIVITIES
© Cary Hazlegrove
Bay Scallops : Closed season , April 1- October 1 ; recreational season ( Wednesday- Sunday only ) October 1 - March 31 ; commercial season , November 1 - March 31 , Monday-Friday . Permit required ; recreational limit is one bushel per week . Scallops must have a well-defined raised growth ring .
Blue Claw Crabs : Open season ; no permit required unless using traps . Return eggbearing females . Minimum size is 5-inch shell width , spine to spine . Limit 25 crabs daily per person . Season closed January 1 - April 30 .
Eels : Open season ; permit required . Eels are found in harbors and creeks during spring and fall .
Mussels : Open season ; permit required . Limit one bushel per week .
Oysters : Closed season , May 1 - September 1 ; recreational season , September 1 -
April 30 . Permit required . Limit one half-bushel per week . Oysters must be 3 inches in size .
Quahogs : Open season ; permit required . Limit one half-bushel per week . Quahog shell must be 1 inch thick at the hinge .
Steamers : Closed season , June 15 - September 15 ; recreational season ( Sundays only ) September 15 - June 14 . Permit required . Limit one 10-quart pail per week . Steamer shell must be 2 inches in size .
Striped Bass / Bluefish : The state requires any resident or non-resident over the age of 16 to purchase a fishing permit to fish from the beach or a boat . Persons over the age of 60 can acquire a free online permit . Visit the Massachusetts Energy & Environmental Affairs website for further information .
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