Official NH Digest of Regulations - New Hampshire Fish and Game ...

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Shellfish New Hampshire has oysters, clams and mussels accessible for recreational harvest. License may be required. • Mollusks (clams, oysters, mussels, etc.) may only be taken from 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). 2010 Recreational Shellfish Regulations SPECIES Blue Mussels (Mytilus edulis) Oysters Sea Scallops Softshell Clam (Mya arenaria) Quahog, little neck or cherrystone clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) Other Bivalve Mollusks (surf & razor clams, mahogany quahog) Whelks Season/Day/Time Restrictions No closed season 1 except for Hampton/ Seabrook Estuary • Closed July and August • Sunrise to sunset only Open November 1 – April 14 • Day after Labor Day – May 31 1 except for Hampton/Seabrook Estuary • Saturday only • ½ hr. before sunrise to sunset No open season Size Limit License Needed No limit No limit No No limit Min. 3½ inches shell height No limit ½ bushel unshucked/day 200 lbs shucked meats or 1,666 lbs unshucked (shell)/day 10 liquid quarts unshucked/day Yes No Yes No closed season 2 No limit No limit No • No closed season 2 • Harvest only from 1 hr. before sunrise to sunset Min. 2½ inches 2010 Commercial Shellfish Regulations SPECIES Sea Scallops Other Bivalve Mollusks (surf and razor clams, mahogany quahog) Whelks Season/Day/Time Restrictions Open November 1 – April 14 No closed season 2 • No closed season 2 • Harvest only from 1 hr. before sunrise to sunset Size Min. 3½ inches shell height No limit Min. 2½ inches 5/day Limit 200 lbs shucked meats or 1,666 lbs unshucked (shell)/day 500 unshucked bushels/day No limit • Call 1-800-43-CLAMS for current clam flat information. Temporary closures during open seasons may occur due to high bacteria levels, red tide or other issues. • Sale prohibited. Softshell clams and oysters of N.H. origin, and quahogs, littlenecks and cherrystones (Mercenaria mercenaria) less than 1 inch in shell thickness cannot be sold. No License Needed Yes Yes Yes Notes • 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 • 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 leaving N.H. waters • Oyster license number must be permanently marked on outside of container • Must have oyster license on person • Personal use only, no sale allowed • 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 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: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset 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 approved water within 500 feet of low tide line • Personal use only, no sale allowed • Residents only Notes • 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 dredging except surf clams and mahogany quahogs and only in accordance 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 first initial and last name of licensee when fishing solely for whelks 1. Temporary closures during this period may occur due to high bacteria count or red tide or other pollution concerns. 2. Temporary closure of all bivalve mollusks may be required because of red tide. For up-to-date information call the Clam Flat Hotline at 1-800-43-CLAMS. 22 2010 New Hampshire Saltwater Fishing Digest
Shellfish Identification New Hampshire is fortunate to have a rich variety of molluscan shellfish. Some of the most frequently seen are easy to identify by their shell shape and color. Shellfish illustrations: ©Hans Hillewaert CC 2.5: Mahogany Quahog, Razor clam; ©Invertzoo GNU Free Documentation License: Surf Clam; ©Fisheries and Oceans Canada: Waved Whelk; ©NHFG/Victor Young: Ribbed Mussel; ©Pallbo: Blue Mussel Blue Mussel Ribbed Mussel Sea Scallop Oyster Surf Clam Softshell Clam Razor Clam Mahogany Quahog Horse Mussel Waved Whelk Stimpsons Whelk Quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria) NOTE: SHELLFISH CLOSURES MAY CHANGE Most of New Hampshire’s coastal waters (up to 3 miles offshore) are open to shellfish harvest, with the exception of surf clams and quahogs, which can be harvested for consumption within 500 feet seaward of the low tide line. In addition, several small areas along the coast are closed due to pollution concerns. These areas include the outlets of Parsons Creek and Eel Pond in Rye, an unnamed creek near Bass Beach in Rye, and Chapel Brook. All waters within 750 feet of each outlet are closed to shellfish harvest. Additionally, all waters within 1,500 feet of Little River (near North Hampton State Beach) are closed to shellfish harvest. Also closed are areas around the wastewater treatment plant outfalls at Wallis Sands State Park, the Town of Seabrook, and Star Island (Isles of Shoals). Other areas may close temporarily at any time. For up-todate information, call Fish and Game’s Clam Flat Hotline at 1-800-43-CLAMS, check www.FishNH.com (Marine Resources), and consult the information and maps on DES’s Shellfish Program website: www.des.nh.gov (search “shellfish”). from April to October. If PSP toxins exceed state standards for consumption, shellfish harvesting areas are closed and public notice given via news media and the Fish and Game website. Contact Fish and Game Marine Fisheries Division at (603) 868-1095 or the Department of Environmental Services at (603) 559-1509, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., for updated information. Even when red tide closures are not in effect, some areas may be closed to the taking of shellfish (see Shellfish Closures May Change). RED TIDE Red tide is caused by the accumulation of toxins from one-celled organisms. The toxins may be stored in the bodies of filter-feeding bivalves, such as clams, mussels and oysters, which ingest the organisms. Humans who eat the shellfish may become afflicted with paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), which can cause death through respiratory paralysis. Mussel samples are tested weekly www.FishNH.com 23
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Page 5 and 6: About This Publication This publica
Page 7 and 8: Licenses: Fees & Requirements Fishi
Page 9 and 10: New Laws Who will need the license
Page 11 and 12: Flounder Identification Three featu
Page 13 and 14: Finfish Identification Rainbow smel
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Page 17 and 18: Saltwater Rigging Basics Basic cod
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Page 23 and 24: Coastal Access Sites Great Bay Acce
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Page 37 and 38: Fish Consumption Guidelines Wild NH
Page 39 and 40: SURFLAND BAIT & TACKLE 28 PLUM ISLA

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