Shellfish Constable

MISSION STATEMENT

The Newbury Shellfish Department safeguards public health and supports a sustainable shellfishing industry by enforcing local regulations and the Massachusetts Conditional Management Plan to ensure clean, safe shellfish.

RULES AND REGULATIONS

A permit is required to harvest any shellfish within town of Newbury.

When the flat status is open, digging activity is restricted to the period between 1/2 hour before sunrise and 1/2 hour after sunset. Harvesting is restricted to one tide per day.

Newbury flats are closed on Sundays from April 1st to October 31st.

Harvesting of Oysters is prohibited from May 16th to October 31st.

Harvested Clams must be 2" or larger, Oysters must be 3" or larger and Razor Clams must be 5" or larger in size.

A full list of rules and regulations can be found here.

Use caution when navigating Newbury waterways. Currents can be strong and unpredictable.

*Harvesting of ocean quahogs or carnivorous snails is prohibited until further notice.*

FOR 24 HOUR CLAM FLATS STATUS REPORT, CALL (978) 356-6671. The information in this report supersedes any other status reports.