Cod Spawning Protection Area - New Hampshire Fish and Game ...

ShellfishNew Hampshire has oysters, clams and mussels accessible for recreationalharvest. License may be required.• Mollusks (clams, oysters, mussels, etc.) may only be takenfrom approved areas. (See map on pages 24–25).• Motor vehicles are prohibited on clam flats (any tidal area,exposed at low tide, that is capable of growing clams).2012 Recreational Shellfish Regulations*SPECIESBlue Mussels(Mytilus edulis)OystersSea ScallopsSoftshell Clam(Mya arenaria)Quahog, little neckor cherrystone clam(Mercenaria mercenaria)Other Bivalve Mollusks(surf & razor clams,mahogany quahog)WhelksSeason/Day/TimeRestrictionsNo closed seasonexcept for Hampton/Seabrook Estuary• Open Sept. – June• Sunrise to sunsetonlyOpen November 1 –April 14• Day after Labor Day– May 31 except forHampton/SeabrookEstuary• Saturday only• ½ hr. beforesunrise to sunsetNo open seasonSizeLimitLicenseNeededNo limit No limit NoNo limitMin. 3½inchesshellheightNo limit½ bushelunshucked/day200 lbs shuckedmeats or 1,666 lbsunshucked (shell)/day10 liquid quartsunshucked/dayYesNoYesNo closed season No limit No limit No• No closed season• Harvest only from1 hr. before sunriseto sunsetMin. 2½inches2012 Commercial Shellfish Regulations*SPECIESSea ScallopsOther Bivalve Mollusks(surf and razor clams,mahogany quahog)WhelksSeason/Day/TimeRestrictionsOpen November 1 –April 14No closed season• No closed season• Harvest only from1 hr. before sunriseto sunsetSizeMin. 3½inchesshellheightNo limitMin. 2½inches5/dayLimit200 lbs shuckedmeats or 1,666 lbsunshucked(shell)/day500 unshuckedbushels/dayNo limitNoLicenseNeededYesYesNotes• Residents only• Personal use only, no sale allowed• Harvest by hand or handheld tools only• Other mussel species (e.g. horse and ribbed mussel) mayalso be taken• Hampton/Seabrook Estuary only: ½ hour before sunrise tosunset on Saturdays only, open Nov. 1 – May 31• 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 leavingN.H. waters• Oyster license number must be permanently marked onoutside of container• Must have oyster license on person• Personal use only• May be taken by diving• Must be landed in shell if taken by hand• 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 onoutside 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 tosunset on Saturdays only, open Nov. 1 – May 31• Residents only• Harvest by hand or handheld tools only• Harvest of surf clams and quahogs limited to approvedwater within 500 feet of low tide line• Personal use only• Residents only*Important Note: 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.• Call 1-800-43-CLAMS for current open/closed status of NHshellfish areas. Temporary closures during open seasons mayoccur due to high bacteria levels, red tide or other issues.• Sale prohibited. Softshell clams and oysters of N.H. origin, andquahogs, littlenecks and cherrystones (Mercenaria mercenaria)less than 1 inch in shell thickness cannot be sold.YesNotes• 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 dredgingexcept surf clams and mahogany quahogs and only inaccordance with species regulations• Dredge blade/knife/manifold: maximum 48 inches.• Monthly reporting required: Contact Marine Division(603) 868-1095• Harvest by pot, trap or other contrivance• Each buoy and trap shall be marked with a “W” and the firstinitial and last name of licensee when fishing solely for whelks22 2012 New Hampshire Saltwater Fishing Digest