Shellfish Harvesting

Please note: Hempstead Bay Shellfish Harvest Areas west of the Wantagh Parkway will be closed to shellfishing until further notice. Non-commercial shellfish permits are NOT being issued at this time. For further information, please call the Department of Conservation and Waterways at (516) 431-9200 (weekdays), or the Bay Constables at (516) 897-4100 (weekends.)

Applicants for all shellfish permits must be town residents for one year, over the age of 16 and have valid current New York State Shellfish diggers permits. Persons applying for a Commercial Mussel Permit must relinquish their town Commercial Hard Clam Permit if previously issued. Commercial fees are $250 for clams and $50 for mussels. Commercial clam and mussel harvesters are limited to six bushels a day in certified waters of the Town of Hempstead. Non-commercial clam permit fees are $10 ($5 for senior citizens) and non-commercial mussel permit fees are $10 ($2 for senior citizens). Non-commercial mussel harvesters are limited to 1/4 bushel a day from certified waters in the Town of Hempstead.

To obtain a shellfish permit, contact the Department of Conservation and Waterways at (516) 431-9200.