Shellfishing

A visitor holds a blue crab

How would you classify clams, oysters, or mussels? Are they fish? Are they wildlife? According to NPS rules, it depends on where they live. Shellfish (mollusks or crustaceans) that live in saltwater are fish by regulation. Shellfish that live in freshwater are wildlife. Since some are fish and some are wildlife, different rules apply to how park visitors can harvest them.

What is a Mollusk?

Mollusks are a large group of soft-bodied, invertebrate animals, many with hard protective shells, commonly referred to as “shellfish”. Many mollusks are important food sources or provide a source of pearls and other products. There are about 85,000 named species of mollusks and they comprise about 23% of all marine organisms.


closeup of limpets on ship hull
Limpets are a type of mollusk found at National Parks. Check the park regulations to find out if limpets can be harvested at your National Park.

NPS Photo

What is a Crustacean?

The Crustacea are a large group of arthropods; invertebrate animals having an external skeleton, segmented body, and jointed appendages. There are about 67,000 species, most of which are marine species. Many are important food sources, but they also comprise many small species in marine plankton that are an important food source for other animals in the marine ecosystem.

scuba diver holding lobster underwater.
Channel Island's Park Dive Officer, Kelly Moore, with a spiny lobster that thrives under the protection of the Marine Sanctuary. Outside of the sanctuary, lobsters are usually taken before growing to this size.

B. Seymour/ NPS Photo

Shellfishing Regulations

The National Park system includes about 40 areas with marine waters, many of which allow the harvest of shellfish. Shellfishing regulations are necessary to conserve shellfish for future generations of visitors and to ensure they are maintained as components of healthy marine ecosystems. Because conditions and species vary from park to park so do the regulations.

Know before you go:

  1. Visit the Fishing Regulations page and use the map to find the most up to date shellfish regulations for your park.

  2. Freshwater mollusks cannot be harvested in national parks, unless a park has a specific regulation that allows it.

  3. Harvest of shellfish in parks with marine waters is allowed under National Park Service General Regulations, unless the park has modified its regulations.

  4. Most ocean and coastal parks have adopted the same rules as the state that the park is located in.

  5. Contact the park if you are unsure about the fishing regulations that apply.

Shellfishing in National Parks

Showing results 1-6 of 6

  • Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

    Humpback Whale Freed from Entanglement Near Glacier Bay

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
    A humpback whale swimming in a circle with ropes trailing from it.

    A team of National Park Service staff collaborated with NOAA and whale experts to free an entangled humpback whale near Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.

  • Travel Blog: San Juan Island National Historical Park

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: San Juan Island National Historical Park
    • Offices: Workforce Management
    South Beach

    Writing Prompt: Travel Blog written by Audrey Nelson for "A Day in the Life of a Fellow" Article Series. Audrey is a NPS Workforce Management Fellow, in partnership with Northwest Youth Corps

  • Keys to Tomorrow: Chris Gobler studies storm impacts, resilience, and restoration opportunities in coastal parks

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Fire Island National Seashore, Gateway National Recreation Area
    • Offices: Northeast Coastal and Barrier Inventory & Monitoring Network
    The research vessel cuts through waves at sunset in Jamaica Bay.

    After Hurricane Sandy, there was noticeable effects to the bodies of water surrounding Long Island and NYC, including changes in color and clarity. With NPS funding, Dr. Dhris Gobler of Stony Brook University examined water quality change in these coastal ecosystems and its effects on keystone species such as shellfish. Ultimately, Gobler hopes to refine our understandings of complex storm impacts and illuminate sound options for restoration and resilience.

  • Assateague Island National Seashore

    Crabbing at Assateague Island

    • Type: Things To Do
    • Subtype: Fishing
    • Reservations: No
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Maryland and Virginia districts
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Go crabbing at Assateague

    Who doesn’t love to eat a blue crab? After all, the literal translation of this Latin name (Callinectes sapidus) is the beautiful (calli) swimmer (nectes) that is savory (sapidus). Crabbing is a great activity for the entire family regardless of age.

  • Shellfish Consumption PSA

    • Type: Article
    water color image of a hand painting a clams, crabs, and mussels underwater

    Gathering shellfish is a fun way to enjoy national parks. Before you go, be sure to check shellfish consumption advisories for your local waters to ensure your catch is safe to eat.

  • Consumo de Mariscos PSA

    • Type: Article
    Crab and shellfish

    Pescar es una divertida forma de disfrutar los parques nacionales. Antes de irte revisa las advertencias para asegurarte que puedes consumir lo que hayas pescado.

Tags: shellfish shellfishing clamming crabbing
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Last updated: May 9, 2018

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