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.