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Town of Kittery to Begin Issuing Shellfish Harvesting Licenses - Saturday, October 1, 2022

Posted on: September 14, 2022 - 9:53am
Town of Kittery Shellfish Harvesting License 2022

The Town of Kittery Shellfish Conservation Commission, regulates shellfish harvesting in Kittery, in accordance with Town ordinances.  Harvesting shellfish in Kittery requires proper licensing for both residents and non-residents.  The only area in Kittery that will be open to shellfish harvesting for the upcoming season is Brave Boat Harbor.

The Town will begin issuing licenses for the 2022-2023 shellfish harvesting season on Saturday, October 1, 2022, from 12:00 PM until 3:00 PM, or earlier if all licenses are issued.  Licenses will be issued at the Traip Academy Harbormaster Shack, located at 12 Williams Ave in Kittery.  Parking in the Traip Academy lot will be available beginning at 6:00 AM on October 1, 2022. 

A total of 50 licenses will be available on a first come, first serve basis as noted below:

  • 30 licenses for residents (recreational): $15.00
  • 9 licenses for residents (recreational) 70 and over: Free
  • 1 license for non-residents (recreational) 70 and over: Free
  • 5 licenses for residents (recreational) under the age of 14: Free
  • 5 licenses for non-residents (recreational): $30.00

Licenses will be issued in-person by Shellfish Warden, Chuck Moran, until licenses are sold out in each of the categories listed above. Any individual applying for a license must be present at the time of purchase. Licenses cannot be purchased for someone else.

All shellfish license applicants will be required to show a valid ID, such as a driver’s license, passport or state issued ID.  Kittery Residents that are applying for a shellfish license will be required to provide proof of residency, such as a utility bill, driver’s license, lease or deed paperwork for their property in Kittery. 

License fees can be paid by check (payable to “Town of Kittery”), credit card (processing fees will be included) or cash. 

If licenses sell out on October 1, 2022, a waitlist will be established for those still looking to obtain a license for the season. Should additional licenses become available, they will be offered to those on the waiting list in chronological order.

After 3:00 PM on October 1, 2022, any licenses that remain available will be sold for the following 90 days on a first come, first serve basis (dependent on resident status and age).  The remaining licenses will be sold during regular business hours at the Kittery Town Hall Customer Service Center, located at 200 Rogers Road in Kittery. After the 90-day period, any remaining licenses in each category will be sold regardless of resident status.

Each license issued, per Kittery ordinance, commences on December 1, 2022 and expires at midnight on November 30, 2023.

Shellfish harvest season will commence on December 4, 2022 - April 30, 2023.  Shellfish harvesting may only occur between sunrise and sunset on Sundays and nationally recognized holidays, during the harvest season.

For a complete list of Shellfish Harvesting Season Rules and Regulations, please click here.

To view a map of the intertidal areas available for shellfish harvesting, please click here.