Unlicensed Wareham Clammer Issued Citation; Flats Reopen

A person caught harvesting shellfish without a permit has been issued a citation by the Wareham Department of Natural Resources.

Recently while on a directed patrol of Parkwood Beach, a DNR officer spotted a person shellfishing in the Crooked River -- a waterway that was closed to shellfish harvesting at the time due to water quality issues. Upon further inspection, the officer determined that the individual did not have a Town of Wareham Shellfishing Permit and was in possession of 52 quahogs and two conch.

The individual was given a citation for shellfishing without a permit and for harvesting in a closed area. The quahogs and conch were returned to the flats, the DNR said in a Facebook post. Officials advised people to check the maps for closure prior to heading out, and to make sure you have a permit.

In related news, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries Saturday morning lifted its ban on shellfishing in Onset Bay and Sunset Cove in Wareham. The flats had been closed since July 5 when an accidental raw sewage discharge from the Stonebridge Pumping Station entered the waters. State officials said their sampling of water and shellfish in the area revealed that shellfish harvested in the area is once again safe for human consumption.

"No Permit, No Harvest!" the DNR declared on Facebook, while adding the hashtag #ProtectingTheResource.