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]
[Amended 2-25-2025; 4-9-2025]
A. 
Harvest days. The commercial harvest of quahogs on the Southside of the Town of Barnstable shall be allowed on Monday through Saturday. Harvest by commercial permit on Sunday is prohibited.
B. 
Commercial quahog harvest limit within south side embayments (SC19-SC28). The total daily limit of littleneck, cherrystone or mixed (littleneck/cherrystone) shall not exceed three level tote baskets, as defined. The total daily limit of all quahogs (i.e., littlenecks, cherrystones and chowders) shall not exceed five level tote baskets in any combination. Chowder quahogs shall be culled and bagged separately from littlenecks and cherrystones prior to landing, if the total catch exceeds three tote baskets.
C. 
Commercial quahog limit outside south side embayments (SC 18). The total daily limit of all quahogs from SC 18 shall not exceed 20 level tote baskets. Commercially harvested quahogs from SC 18 cannot be combined with commercially harvested quahogs from within SC19-SC28 to exceed 20 level tote baskets.
[Amended 10-26-2022; 2-25-2025; 4-9-2025]
A. 
Harvest days. The commercial harvest of quahogs on the Northside of the Town of Barnstable shall be allowed Monday through Saturday.
B. 
Commercial quahog harvest limit within Barnstable Harbor (CCB29 and CCB31-CCB34). The total daily limit of commercially harvested quahogs from within Barnstable Harbor (CCB29 and CCB31-CCB34) shall not exceed two level tote baskets, as defined.
C. 
Commercial quahog limit outside Northside embayments (CCB30). The total daily limit of all quahogs from CCB30 shall not exceed 20 level tote baskets. Commercially harvested quahogs from CCB30 cannot be combined with commercially harvested quahogs from within CCB29 and CCB31-CCB34 to exceed 20 level tote baskets.
D. 
Commercial quahog harvest area restriction. The commercial harvest of quahogs shall be allowed in all areas of Barnstable Harbor open to the harvest of shellfish, with the exception of the Scudder Lane Recreational Area, as defined under Article VII, § 407-44A(1), and the Barnstable Harbor closed to commercial zone as defined under Article VII, § 407-45A(2).