Shellfish

Name: eRegulations
Price range: $

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 Saturday only, 9AM–sunset, Little Bay, Bellamy River, Oyster River	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 Lower Little Bay (Dover Point to Fox Point/Durham Point), Oyster River, Bellamy River Open Areas: Open on Saturdays only from 9AM to sunset. Upper Little Bay (Fox Point to Adams Point) Open Areas: Open on Saturdays only from 9AM to sunset.
Oysters	Open Sept. 1 – June 30 Sunrise to sunset only, except Little Bay/Oyster River/Bellamy River Open Areas Saturday only, 9AM–sunset, Little Bay, Bellamy River, Oyster River.	No limit	½ bushel unshucked/day	Yes	Residents only Personal use only, no sale allowed May be taken by hand, hand rake 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 No take during months of July & August Lower Little Bay (Dover Point to Fox Point/Durham Point), Oyster River, Bellamy River Open Areas: Open on Saturdays only from 9AM to sunset. Upper Little Bay (Fox Point to Adams Point) Open Areas: Open on Saturdays only from 9AM to sunset.
Sea Scallops	Open November 1 – April 14 by diving; December 1 – April 14 by dredge	Min. 3½ inches shell height	75 lbs. shucked meats or 625 lbs. unshucked (shell)/day	No	Personal use only May be taken by diving or dredge Must be landed in shell if taken by hand
Softshell Clam (Mya arenaria)	Open the first Saturday after Labor Day – May 31 except for Hampton/Seabrook Estuary Saturday only ½ hr. before sunrise to sunset, except Little Bay/Oyster River/Bellamy River Open Areas Saturday only, 9AM–sunset, Little Bay, Bellamy River, Oyster River.	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: Open Nov. 1 – May 31 Lower Little Bay (Dover Point to Fox Point/Durham Point), Oyster River, Bellamy River Open Areas: Saturdays only from 9AM to sunset. Upper Little Bay (Fox Point to Adams Point) Open Areas:** Open on Saturdays only from 9AM to sunset.
Quahog, little neck or cherrystone clam (Mercenaria mercenaria)	No open season	No limit	No limit	No
Other Bivalve Mollusks (surf & razor clams, mahogany quahog)	No closed season except Little Bay/Oyster River/Bellamy River Open Areas Saturday only, 9AM–sunset, Little Bay, Bellamy River, Oyster River.	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 No shell discards in state waters if harvest by dredge Lower Little Bay (Dover Point to Fox Point/Durham Point), Oyster River, Bellamy River Open Areas: Open on Saturdays only from 9AM to sunset. Upper Little Bay (Fox Point to Adams Point) Open Areas: Open on Saturdays only from 9AM to sunset.
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. * – If fishing state waters, a harvest permit is required.

Commercial Shellfish Regulations*
Species	Season/Day/Time Restrictions	Size	Limit	License Needed	Notes
Sea Scallops	Open November 1 – April 14 by diving; December 1 – April 14 by dredge	Min. 3½ inches shell height	75 lbs. shucked meats or 625 lbs. unshucked (shell)/day	Yes ***	May be taken by diving or one dredge only Must be landed in shell if taken by hand Helpers working under the Commercial Saltwater License shall not take by diving Dredge: width limit = maximum 4 feet., ring size = 4 inches, minimum mesh size = 10 inches No obstructions or liners attached in dredge Call Marine Fisheries (603) 868-1095 for chafing gear restrictions 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. * – If fishing state waters, a harvest permit is required.