December 1, 2025 By Carol Britton Meyer
Sometime in late Spring or early summer 2026, the Department of Fisheries is expected to conditionally approve recreational shellfish harvesting in a select area on the shoreline between low and high tide from Hingham Maritime Center at Barnes Wharf to the tip of World’s End. Commercial shellfishing is already allowed.
The Department reserves the right to alter the approval with additional requirements as needed during this test period.
This news was a point of discussion at a recent Harbor Development Committee (HDC) meeting.
The flats near the islands are off limits, as is the area to the left of Barnes Wharf, pending more water-quality testing.
“The project came about as part of the Master Plan for Hingham Harbor to encourage greater use of one of Hingham’s top natural assets,” Chair Marco Boer told the Hingham Anchor. “It was further championed by local resident Sean Paylor, who has a passion for bringing back oysters to the harbor.”
According to proponents of this new endeavor, the benefits of shellfish harvesting relate to how oysters and clams filter excess nutrients and nitrogen from the water and help mitigate pollution as well as potential aquaculture (sustainable marine farming) opportunities.
Draft regulations in process
If all goes as planned, the town will need to put regulations – including licensing requirements – in place, with draft regulations already in process.
This first step is to allow harvesting of naturally grown soft shell clams, oysters, and other mollusks. It was noted at the HDC meeting that “clamming will not be an easy task in Hingham Harbor’s sludge.”
Issues to be considered include how to access the harvesting areas and how to inspect and verify the harvests, among others.
A subsequent step could be the development of an aquaculture plan, which would entail seeding of shellfish for cultivation purposes.
The Department of Fisheries would need to grant approval of additional locations where shellfish could be cultivated, contingent upon water-quality testing.
The process includes consideration of navigation, visual effects upon abutters, dock access, and other issues.
Currently, there’s a requirement that all commercial shellfish catches be depurated (made free from pollution) at a commercial facility in Maine, as the Newburyport facility has closed.
“The HDC is interested in championing educational sessions on shellfish harvesting and will work with local advocates to bring such a program to the town in the late Spring of 2026,” according to Boer.
In addition, the harbormaster’s office is considering developing educational videos on how to clam and what tools to use, along with other considerations.
For more information about the Massachusetts Oyster Project, go to https://www.massoyster.org/.