All commercial shellfishing permit conditions,
general commercial shellfishing rules and regulations and shellfishery
conservation and management regulations apply. In addition the following
conditions, rules and regulations apply:
A. Definitions of quahogs.
(1) Littleneck: greater than or equal to one-inch hinge
width; less than 2 1/2 inches in longest diameter.
(2) Cherrystone: greater than or equal to 2 1/2 inches;
less than three inches in longest diameter.
(3) Chowder: greater than or equal to three inches in
longest diameter.
B. Minimum size limit. Shellfish shall be culled and
all seed returned to the waters and flats immediately. Persons shall
not take or have in their possession (in basket, bucket, bag or other
container) quahogs less than one inch shell thickness (hinge width)
to the amount of more than 5% of any batch.
C. Gear restrictions. Quahogs may be commercially harvested
by hand, rakes, tongs, dipnet and bullrake. No other device may be
used, unless approved by Natural Resources.
D. All helpers actively assisting a commercially licensed shellfisherman
harvesting quahogs shall be required to hold a valid Massachusetts
commercial shellfish and seaworms permit. Said helper shall be allowed
to cull and sort the quahog catch and return seed to the water. Said
helper shall not be allowed to harvest quahogs. All helpers must present
their valid Massachusetts commercial shellfish and seaworms permit,
in person, to the Natural Resources office prior to initially assisting
a commercially licensed shellfisherman.
[Added 12-1-2018]