Recreational Shellfish Harvesting in Georgetown
Limits
- Each person harvesting soft-shell, razor, or surf clams must first obtain a shellfish license from the town. Failure to do so may result in a fine of not less than $100, nor more than $500.
- Each licensed person may harvest up to one peck of soft-shell clams, one peck of razor clams and six pecks of surf clams per day.*
- Exception to licensing. Each person harvesting Soft-Shell Clams within the confines of Reid State Park may harvest one peck of Soft-Shell clams per day without a license.
- All shellfish so harvested are for the licensee’s family and guests and are not to be sold.
* One peck = ¼ bushel, or about 9½ quarts, or slightly less than ½ of a five gallon pail.
Tolerance
Any person may possess soft-shelled clams that are less than two inches in length provided they comprise less than 10% of any pile or container however; it is wisest never to take any short clams. Anyone found in possession of more than 10% short clams in any container or pile may be subject to a fine of not less than $100, nor more than $1000.
Clam-flats in Georgetown may close from time to time for the following reasons:
By human or animal fecal coliform bacteria. Consumption of contaminated shellfish can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever; and in extreme cases death may result. If symptoms occur, call 911 immediately for medical aid. If you are using a cell phone, call 443-9711.
To monitor fecal coliform pollution, shellfish committee members regularly collect water samples from designated stations for testing. This is done at the request of the Maine Department of Marine Resources lab in West Boothbay Harbor. If these tests show continuing elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria, the State will close the affected clam flats to protect the public health until the source of pollution is located, and corrections made. Heavy rains cause pollutants from the land to be washed into the waterways. Failing in-ground septic systems, faulty overboard discharge systems and malfunctioning sewage treatment plants along the Kennebec River can cause high fecal coliform counts on nearby clam-flats.
Pollution
Red Tide
Also known as Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). The neurotoxin that causes PSP blocks nerve impulses, causing paralysis of the respiratory muscles and extremities. It is so poisonous that consumption of just one mussel could be fatal. Symptoms most often occur within 15 minutes of ingestion and include a tingling, numbness or burning sensation of the lips, gums, tongue and face; and death may result, If symptoms occur, call 911 immediately for medical aid. If you are using a cell phone, call 443-9711.
To monitor Red Tide contamination, the State regularly samples mussels and clams along the coast, and tests them at the Boothbay lab. High levels cause the State to close flats.
Conservation
Activities
For example, reseeding of young clams to increase yields in sparse areas. As part of managing our clam resource, the Georgetown Shellfish Committee carries on a program of “re-seeding” depleted flats with very young clams taken from areas on the flats where they have set in thickly. The town then closes the re-seeded “conservation” area for several years to allow clams to grow to the 2-inch minimum harvestable size.
General
Information
Most shellfish commonly eaten in Georgetown are bivalves having two shells, hinged together. They include oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops. Single-shelled mollusks such as snails and welks are also eaten, but less frequently. Mussels and clams have an extremely efficient method of filtration and will concentrate microorganisms at much higher levels in their tissue than are found in their habitat. The level of harmful bacteria in a mollusk can be from slightly elevated to twenty-two times that found in the water from which it was taken.
Closed
Areas
During closures, the Shellfish Warden will make a dedicated effort to post signs at the major points of access to some of the flats. However, never trust the absence of a sign; they can be weather damaged or vandalized. To be safe, please visit the Department of Marine Resources, call the Town Office at 371-2820, check the bulletin board outside the town office, or call Jon Hentz, Shellfish Warden at 371-2732. The Red Tide Hot Line telephone number is 1-800-232-4733.
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