Shellfish Commission

Regular Meetings

The Commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month.  View the 2023 Shellfish Commission Meeting Schedule.

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Members

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  1. Recreational Shellfish Harvesting and Vibrio: Summer Harvest Precautions

    Vibrio are naturally occurring brackish and salt water bacteria, and tend to be found in higher concentrations from June through October when coastal waters are warm. Consumers may be exposed to these pathogenic, or disease-causing, bacteria. Read on...
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Overview

The Town of Greenwich Shellfish Commission is appointed by the First Selectman and has principal authority and responsibility for the Town’s significant shellfish resources. Their mandate is to manage, protect, propagate and conserve the Shellfish beds in the GHA, both recreational and commercial. The Commission, who’s area of jurisdiction is generally coterminous with the GHA, prepares a Town shellfish management plan, promotes the enhancement of shellfish production and harvest for both recreational and commercial purposes in Greenwich waters as well as the preservation and restoration of shellfish habitat and water quality in the GHA.

Projects

Under the direction of the Bureau of Aquaculture (DABA), the Town of Greenwich Shellfish Commission performs regular monthly water sampling in Greenwich Waters to ensure they meet and comply with the State of Connecticut’s physical and chemical standards. This also requires having continuous contact with all Commercial Shellfisherman farming Greenwich waters.

Maintaining a working relationship with DEEP, the Commission is required to inspect the location of and sign off on project plans to repair or build berths, jetties, seawalls, revetments, moorings placement and Greenwich DPW drainage projects, confirming these projects will not have a negative impact on shellfish beds.

Click on the links below to find out what's going on.

Fate and Transport of PFAS in Water, Sediments and Oysters (UCONN)

Quantification and Valuation of Nitrogen Removal Services Provided by Aquaculture (Stony Brook University, NOAA)

Greenwich Partnership (NOAA)

2017 BioBlitz

What's a Clam Worth? (2016)

Education

Educationally the Commission cooperates with both NOAA and UCONN on their Ecosystem Services and environmental biology projects in Greenwich waters, holds recreational shellfishing demonstrations for the general public and schools also arranging talks on shellfishing given by Nationally recognized experts.

Permits & Regulations

With authority provided by the general Statutes the Commission issues permits for the taking of shellfish. It fixes fees for that taking, designates the quantities and size of the shellfish that can be harvested, the methods that may be used and issues Town Regulations for recreational shellfishing. Volunteer wardens patrol the recreational beds to educate and guide the general public in Shellfishing techniques and safety.

All fees collected by the Commission, for the taking of shellfish, must be used by the Commission for protecting and propagating shellfish under its control.

Shellfishing Season

Recreational shellfish beds are open from mid-October through May. Check the bed status to make sure the beds are open.  You may also call the Shellfish Hotline - 203-622-7777.