The bounty of Nantucket’s harbors can be enjoyed year-round! If you are interested in recreational shellfishing on Nantucket, there are a few things to keep in mind—

 

Obtain a Shellfish Permit Button

Before heading out to the harbor, you must obtain a Shellfish Permit Button from the Town of Nantucket.

You can find the application HERE and bring payment to the Public Safety Facility at 4 Fairgrounds Road.

  • Nantucket Residents over 60 are able to apply for a Shellfish Permit Button for free and it does not expire.

  • Nantucket residents aged 14-59 must apply annually for $35 per person.

  • Off-island residents are able to apply for a one-week permit for $50 or a one-year permit for $125.

 

Learn What & When

Different shellfish can be harvested at different times of the year. You should always check the Town of Nantucket Recreational Shellfish Regulations before heading out.

Year round, daily = oysters, blue mussels, quahogs

Fall/winter, Wednesday through Sunday = bay scallops

Fall/winter/spring, Sundays only = soft-shell clams, razor clams

Keep an eye on size - All shellfish have size limits to be aware of. You can check out the Town of Nantucket Shellfish Guide to learn the different size requirements of the most common shellfish.

 

Gear Up

Depending on the time of year and your preference, you may choose to push-rake in waders, dive in a wetsuit, or simply hand dig on the low tide flats.

Always remember, no matter what method you choose, you must keep your Shellfish Permit Button on your person!

Waders & Gloves - You may choose to get polyester or neoprene waders. Both will keep you dry and warm while shellfishing. For safety purposes, it’s always recommended to wear belted waders. During scallop season, we recommend lined gloves for warmth and protection.

Push Rake & Basket - Raking is a great way to dig up scallops and stay upright above the water. Get a bushel basket in an inner tube and bring an extra string to tie it to your waist so that it floats along behind you!

Head over to The Ship Store by Tidal Creek on Washington Street. They will help you get fully outfitted for all of your shellfish adventures!

Wetsuit & Snorkel - Get under the water and see what you can find! Unless you are out in the colder months, a 3/2 wetsuit will serve you well on Nantucket. You may choose to get booties, gloves, and a hood if you are heading out later in scallop season. You can get everything you need at Indian Summer Surf Shop over on Broad Street. In this case, we like to head under water with a mesh bag and bring our shellfish above water to a floating basket.

 

Where to Go

Where on Nantucket you can harvest shellfish is determined by the Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries. The NSA and NRD will communicate any local closures on social media.

Scallops - Found throughout Nantucket and Madaket Harbors, where you choose to scallop will depend on whether or not you have a boat. With a boat, you can head over to Cotue and fish in the bends. By car or foot, head to any harbor access point just before low tide and try your luck: Monomoy, Fulling Mill, Pocomo, Polpis.

Soft-shell Clams - They are often found in the flats in front of Pocomo Meadows and on the east side of the entrance to Polpis Harbor. They are fragile and should be dug up by hand rather than rake.

Quahogs - They can be found all over the island and can be taken any day of the year! With a boat try over between Cotue and First Point or without a boat, head to the flats at Monomoy.

Oysters - We have five active oyster farms on island, so the closer you get to them, the more likely you are to find oysters who have gone astray. Head out on either side of Pocomo Point and you might come across some wild oysters.

Mussels - They attach themselves to something underwater and are therefore most often found in rocky bottom areas. You will likely need a boat with a small dredge to get local mussels in areas from Eel Point to Smiths Point. You can also try to find them in shallow areas by the jetties.