# Shellfish Committee 10-14-2026

The Barnstable Shellfish Committee meeting on October 14, 2026, reviewed proposed 2027 shellfish fees and program costs. The proposals were a $70 resident recreational permit, $45 senior and veteran permits, $180 nonresident and $90 seasonal permits; commercial master permits rising from $550 to $650 and senior permits from $350 to $400; and an aquaculture fee of $25 per acre plus a proposed $250 inspection and administration charge per site. The committee voted 6–2 to recommend the recreational fee proposal and 6–2 to recommend the commercial proposal. The aquaculture proposal received a divided vote (three in favor and five opposed, as tallied in the roll call); it will still be presented to the town manager, with the committee’s divided position noted. A town manager fee hearing was announced for November 12, followed by a comment period.

Discussion focused on the cost of shellfish propagation, staffing, seed purchases, and possible efficiencies, including buying larger seed or more product from local growers. Committee members and aquaculture operators questioned whether costs could be reduced before fees rise and cited aquaculture’s local economic and environmental benefits; department staff said program costs are assessed separately and described evaluating staffing and seed costs. No contracts, vendor awards, or purchasing approvals were made. The committee also heard routine harvest-season and area-opening updates and reviewed a proposed vinyl bulkhead project at 1136 Craigville Beach Road; staff reported no opposition, with the matter scheduled for a Conservation Commission review.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Environment
**Published:** October 14, 2026

### Sources
- [Shellfish Committee 10-14-2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BwbV1Z7kOs) - Barnstable Government Access