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New Hampshire has oysters, clams and mussels accessible for recreational harvest. License may be required.

Mollusks (clams, oysters, mussels, etc.) may only be taken from approved areas. (See maps of Shellfish Areas).
Motor vehicles are prohibited on clam flats (any tidal area, exposed at low tide, that is capable of growing clams).
Call 1-800-43-CLAMS for current open/closed status of NH shellfish areas. Temporary closures during open seasons may occur due to high bacteria levels, red tide or other issues.
Sale prohibited. Softshell clams and oysters of N.H. origin, and quahogs, littlenecks and cherrystones (Mercenaria mercenaria) less than 1 inch in shell thickness cannot be sold.

2013 Recreational Shellfish Regulations*
Species	Season/Day/Time Restrictions	Size	Limit	License Needed	Notes
Blue Mussels (Mytilus edulis)	No closed season except for Hampton/Seabrook Estuary	No limit	No limit	No	Residents only Personal use only, no sale allowed Harvest by hand or handheld tools only Other mussel species (e.g. horse and ribbed mussel) may also be taken Hampton/Seabrook Estuary only: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset on Saturdays only, open Nov. 1 – May 31
Oysters	Open Sept. – June Sunrise to sunset only	No limit	½ bushel unshucked/day	Yes	Residents only Personal use only, no sale allowed May be taken by hand or tongs only No taking through ice No shucked oysters may be possessed while on or leaving N.H. waters Oyster license number must be permanently marked on outside of container Must have oyster license on person
Sea Scallops	Open November 1 – April 14	Min. 3½ inches shell height	200 lbs shucked meats or 1,666 lbs unshucked (shell)/day	No	Personal use only May be taken by diving Must be landed in shell if taken by hand
Softshell Clam (Mya arenaria)	Open day after Labor Day – May 31 except for Hampton/Seabrook Estuary Saturday only ½ hr. before sunrise to sunset	No limit	10 liquid quarts unshucked/day	Yes	Residents only (6 years of age or older) Personal use only, no sale allowed License must be displayed in plain view while clamming Clam license number must be permanently marked on outside of container Handheld tools only, with handles not exceeding 18 inches. No shucked clams allowed on or while leaving N.H. waters Hampton/Seabrook Estuary only: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset on Saturdays only, open Nov. 1 – May 31**
Quahog, little neck or cherrystone clam (Mercenaria mercenaria)	No open season
Other Bivalve Mollusks (surf & razor clams, mahogany quahog)	No closed season	No limit	No limit	No	Residents only Harvest by hand or handheld tools only Harvest of surf clams and quahogs limited to approved water within 500 feet of low tide line
Whelks	No closed season Harvest only from 1 hr. before sunrise to sunset	Min. 2½ inches	5/day	No	Personal use only Residents only
* Temporary closures of shellfishing areas may occur due to high bacteria count or red tide or other pollution concerns. For updates, call the Clam Flat Hotline at 1-800-43-CLAMS. ** Due to unpredictable water quality in September and October, even in dry weather, the opening of the clam flats in Hampton-Seabrook Estuary is delayed until November 1.

2013 Commercial Shellfish Regulations*
Species	Season/Day/Time Restrictions	Size	Limit	License Needed	Notes
Sea Scallops	Open November 1 – April 14	Min. 3½ inches shell height	200 lbs shucked meats or 1,666 lbs unshucked (shell)/day	Yes	May be taken by diving or one dredge only Must be landed in shell if taken by hand Dredge: width limit = maximum 4 feet., ring size = 4 inches, minimum mesh size = 10 inches No obstructions, chafing gear or liners attached in dredge No possession of other marine species when dredging except surf clams and mahogany quahogs and only in accordance with species regulations
Other Bivalve Mollusks (surf and razor clams, mahogany quahog)	No closed season	No limit	500 unshucked bushels/day	Yes	Dredge blade/knife/manifold: maximum 48 inches. Monthly reporting required: Contact Marine Division (603) 868-1095
Whelks	No closed season Harvest only from 1 hr. before sunrise to sunset	Min. 2½ inches	No limit	Yes	Harvest by pot, trap or other contrivance Each buoy and trap shall be marked with a “W” and the first initial and last name of licensee when fishing solely for whelks
* Temporary closures of shellfishing areas may occur due to high bacteria count or red tide or other pollution concerns. For updates, call the Clam Flat Hotline at 1-800-43-CLAMS. ** Due to unpredictable water quality in September and October, even in dry weather, the opening of the clam flats in Hampton-Seabrook Estuary is delayed until November 1.

Regulations in red are new this year.

Purple text indicates an important note.

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