QUINCY, Mass. — Quincy's shellfishing industry serves the entire region and the Quincy marine unit is out regularly making sure people aren’t digging recreationally.
The state closely regulates shellfishing and designates where it can be done. One fisherman has the main commercial license and designates permits to diggers throughout the city. There are 27 miles of coastline to regulate for the marine patrol.
"It's regulated for a number of reasons. There could be pollutants in the water. Contaminants in the flats,” said Quincy Officer Jamie Curran.
We're on patrol with the @quincymapolice marine unit as they look for people shell fishing illegally. The story airs tonight at 5:15 & 6:45 pic.twitter.com/kSHhWDR2Gm
— Robert Goulston (@rgoulston) July 31, 2017
There are also health concerns; they don't want people shellfishing in areas that may be closed because of high levels of bacteria.
Earlier this summer State Environmental Police fined three women $240 after they illegally harvested more than 150 pounds of oysters at Wollaston beach. A restaurant owner who showed up to pick up the oysters was also cited.
What's the QPD Marine Unit doing to prevent illegal shellfishing? Chk out @rgoulston interview w/Ofcr Curran (his TV debut 😉) tonight at 5pm pic.twitter.com/P6ebBCwf1U
— Quincy Police (@quincymapolice) July 31, 2017
"Right place, right time, proper licensing,” said Curran.
Last year, the state issued 88 tickets for illegal shellfishing. This year, through the end of June, there have been 55 tickets.
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7QOJU3BNCJERBNKJC5LWTBYFLU.png)
