From the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife:

On Tuesday, June 17, 2008, changes to the NJ shellfish statutes (Title 50) went into effect. A clamming license is now called a Shellfish License and is required for harvesting of all species of benthic mollusks with the exception of conchs, which are covered by commercial marine fisheries regulations. In addition, a new non-resident Commercial Shellfish License was established.

The new statute means that anyone who wishes to harvest hard clams, soft clams, surf clams, oysters, bay scallops or mussels (or other molluscan shellfish excluding conchs) will need to obtain a Shellfish License. However, since these changes are being implemented in the middle of the calendar year, those who have already purchased a Clamming License will not need to purchase the new Shellfish License. Their existing 2008 Clamming License will have all the rights associated with the new Shellfish License.

The new Shellfish Licenses will be available via the Internet license site, http://www.wildlifelicense.com/nj/ beginning June 17. For information on the shellfish and other marine licenses, visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/marinelicenses.htm on the DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife's website.

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