Massachusetts Shellfish Sanitation Program

Shellfisheries management is accomplished by direct Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) regulation of the commercial surf clam, ocean quahog and quahog dredge boat fisheries, harvest of contaminated shellfish for depuration and relaying, size and maximum harvest limits of other shellfish, Bay scallop and conch seasons, shellfish aquaculture and collection of statistics. Indirectly, MarineFisheries manages through its partnership with the coastal cities and towns by providing technical assistance and through consultation with local management authorities (elected officials and shellfish constables) in the development of management plans and local regulatory decisions.