Shellfish Licenses are available from the Clerks’ Office to anyone looking to harvest shellfish within Blue Hill. Multiple types of Licenses are available:
- Recreational Licenses allow the harvesting of one peck per day for personal use only. Commercial Licenses (invalid without a State-level Commercial Shellfish License) allow for greater harvests and the sale of shellfish.
- Residential Licenses are typically less expensive and require you to show proof of Blue Hill residence. Nonresidential Licenses are typically more expensive and may be issued to anyone, regardless of residency.
- A few junior (12 and younger) and senior (65 and older) Licenses, both Residential and Nonresidential, are available free of charge.
With the exception of Commercial Residential Licenses, we are able to issue a finite number of each category each year. Licenses all expire on the last day of February, and the next year’s Licenses are typically available in mid-to-late February. Applicants are welcome to call ahead to make sure that we still have their desired type of License available for sale.
For more information on shellfish identification and harvesting limits, please visit the Department of Marine Resources website. For more local information, please contact the Shellfish Warden.