Winter Shellfishing Regulations Modified by Falmouth Selectmen

FALMOUTH–Falmouth selectmen have voted to lift some restrictions on shellfishing during the winter.

In the past, regulations have been eased as the weather got colder.

Deputy Director of Marine and Environmental Services and Shellfish Constable Chuck Martinsen said this winter presents one of those situations again, where regulations being lifted can lead to a bigger harvest.

“We’re back in the same position where we have such a tremendous resource over there, that I don’t want to see it become destroyed in the ice,” Martinsen said.

New regulations will allow shellfishers to harvest twice as many oysters out of West Falmouth Harbor until February 1. The harbor will also be open to shellfishing on Wednesdays until then, along with the usual Saturday and Sunday harvest schedule.

Martinsen also vouched for five additional floating days, in order to allow for flexibility due to the ever-changing winter weather.

“I did leave that kind of open-ended, just to provide a little bit of leeway for myself in the event that it doesn’t happen, or we need to accelerate that,” he said.

No specific dates were provided for the floating days.

About Brendan Fitzpatrick

Brendan, a recent graduate from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is one of the newest members of the CapeCod.com NewsCenter team. When not on the beat, you'll probably find him watching Boston sports.



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