Find an approved shellfish seed hatchery

If you are an aquaculture permit holder and would like to buy shellfish seed, it must be from a hatchery or nursery approved by the Division of Marine Fisheries. You can find out more about the approved places below.

Under 322 CMR 15 shellfish hatcheries and nursery operations must be approved by the Division of Marine Fisheries prior to selling seed shellfish in the State of Massachusetts. Approved hatchery and nursery operations may only sell seed to persons holding a valid Division of Marine Fisheries Propagation (aquaculture) permit. This website contains an updated list of approved shellfish seed sources and a list of growers approved to purchase shellfish seed. For information on obtaining a shellfish propagation (aquaculture) permit or on becoming an approved source of seed shellfish contact: Chrissy Petitpas or Gabriel Lundgren

2023 Approved Sources for Seed Purchases

Aquacultural Research Corp. 
Approved for oysters and quahogs from Harwich nursery on May 18, 2023
Approved for oysters and quahogs from Mill Pond nursery in Chatham on May 18, 2023
Approved for oysters from Barnstable Harbor license site on May 5, 2023
Approved for oysters and quahogs from Dennis hatchery on April 14, 2023
P.O. Box 2028
Chapin Beach Road
Dennis, MA 02638
Tel: [phone]
(Rick Sawyer)
[e-mail]

Bay Breeze Inc.
Approved for bay scallops from Westport South Coastal (BB1) on August 29, 2023
Approved for oysters from Westport River (BB4) on July 11, 2023
117 Cross Road
Westport, MA 02790
Tel: [phone]
email: [e-mail]
(Kerian Fennelly)

Bay Farm, Inc.
Approved for quahogs from Little Egg Harbor, NJ on July 19, 2023
103 Cestone Court
West Creek, NJ 08092
Tel: [phone]
Cell: [phone]
(John Schriever)

Bill Avery's Quality Bay Clams LLC
Approved for Quahogs from Beach Thorofare raceways on September 21, 2023
Approved for Quahogs from Absecon Bay, NJ on June 15, 2023
Approved for Quahogs from Dry Bay, NJ on June 15, 2023
741 E. Great Creek Rd.
Galloway, NJ 08205
Tel: [phone]
email: [e-mail]
(Bill Avery)

Cape Cod Oyster Co.
Approved for oysters from North Bay FLUPSY on June 6, 2023
262 Bridge St.
Osterville, Ma. 02655
Tel: [phone]
(Dave Ryan/Al Suprenant)

Chatham Shellfish Co.
Approved for oysters from SC49 on April 14, 2023
393 Barn Hill Rd
Chatham, MA 02633
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website Order Form: http://www.chathamoysters.com/oyster-seed/
(Stephen Wright/John Richards)

Cherrystone Aqua Farms/Ballard Fish and Oyster Company, LLC 
Approved for Oysters (larvae and seed ≤ 1mm) on February 17, 2023
1588 Townfield Dr.
Cape Charles, VA 23340
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
(Tim Rapine)

Clam Daddy's
Approved for quahogs from Atlantic City raceways on May 18, 2023
1204 E. Shore Dr.
Brigantine, NJ 08203
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.clamdaddys.com
(Lori Mayer/Bill Mayer)

Downeast Institute
Approved for softshell clam (2mm & 11mm) from Beals, ME Hatchery Facility on May 2, 2023
Approved for oysters from Beals, ME Hatchery Facility on May 2, 2023
P.O. Box 83
39 Wildflower Lane
Beals, ME 04611-0083
Tel: [phone]
(Kyle Pepperman - Manager)

Fishers Island Oyster Farm 
Approved for oysters from Island Pond on April 14, 2023
P.O. Box 402
Fishers Island, NY 06390
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
(Steve Malinowski)

Husselton Head Oysters
Approved for oysters from Lagoon Pond (V11) on August 18, 2023
P.O. Box 1410
Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
(Jeffrey Canha)

Island Creek Shellfish Company
Approved for oysters from Duxbury hatchery on May 2, 2023
Approved for oysters from Portsmouth, RI upwellers on May 2, 2023
Approved for oysters from Pirate Cove Marina, RI upwellers on May 2, 2023
P.O. Box 2426
Duxbury, MA. 02331
Tel: [phone]
(Skip Bennett)

Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group
Approved for bay scallops on June 6, 2023
Note: Due to limited supplies this source prioritizes growers in Dukes County
P.O. Box 1552
Oak Bluffs, MA. 02557
Tel: [phone]
(Emma Green-Beach)

Mook Sea Farm
Approved for triploid oysters from Walpole hatchery on May 18, 2023
321 State Route 129
Walpole, ME 04573
Tel: [phone]
(Bill Mook)

Muscongus Bay Aquaculture
Approved for quahogs from Damariscotta River nursery on September 1, 2023
Approved for bay scallops from Bremen, ME hatchery on July 19, 2023
Approved for oysters from Kingman Yacht Center, MA on June 16, 2023
Approved for oysters from New Meadows River, ME on June 16, 2023
Approved for oysters from Bremen, ME hatchery on April 14, 2023
P.O. Box 158
Route 32
Bremen, Maine 04551
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
(Tonie Simmons)
 

Pangea Shellfish Company/Standish Shore Oyster Farm
Approved for 2023 year-class oysters from Duxbury Bay upweller on June 20, 2023
Approved for 2022 year-class oysters from Duxbury Bay license site on June 12, 2023
Note: This seed source is not servicing new growers
(Ben Lloyd)

Park City Seafood, LLC.
Approved for softshell clam from Pequonnock River on July 19, 2023
1980 Main Street
Stratford, CT 06615
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
(Mike Julian)

Running Tide Technologies
Approved for surf clams (S. solidissima) from Harpswell hatchery (lot IDs SsRT 012523 and SsRt 021523) on April 14, 2023
84 Mitchell Field Dr.
Harpswell, ME 04079
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
(Karl Eschholz)

Ward Aquafarms LLC
Approved for Oysters <25mm from Pocasset River hatchery in Bourne, MA on June 12, 2023
Approved for Oysters from Lonnie’s Pond (SC63) in Orleans, MA on March 1, 2023
51 North Falmouth Highway
North Falmouth, MA 02536
email: [e-mail]
(Dan Ward)

Ward Oyster Company, Approved for Oysters (larvae and seed ≤ 1mm) on February 17, 2023
150 Enterprise Lane
Foster, VA 23056
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail] 
(Chris Smith)

 

Additional Resources

2020 DMF Approved Shellfish Pathology Labs

Shellfish Planting Guidelines

Previously Approved Sources for Seed Purchase

The following list contains seed sources that have been approved to sell seed shellfish in Massachusetts in prior years. Approval in prior years does not guarantee the source will be added to the current year’s approved source list. Before being added to the current year approved source list, all sources will be required to provide a current pathology report. This list is provided to be used as a guide when ordering seed. If you are considering ordering seed from a source that is not listed on the previously approved or the current year’s approved list, you should first contact the Division of Marine Fisheries Aquaculture Specialist.

Aquacultural Research Corp. 
Approved for Oysters and Quahogs from Harwich nursery on May 9, 2022
Approved for Oysters and Quahogs from Mill Pond nursery in Chatham on May 9, 2022
Approved for Oysters and Quahogs from Barnstable Harbor license site on May 9, 2022
Approved for Oysters and Quahogs from Dennis hatchery on May 2, 2022
P.O. Box 2028
Chapin Beach Road
Dennis, MA 02638
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
(Rick Sawyer)

Atlantic Aquaculture Supply, LLC (Oysters Only)
100D Elm Street Box 5
Warren, RI 02885
Tel: [phone]
Toll Free #: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
(Pete Sebring)

Bay Farm, INC.
Approved for Quahogs from Little Egg Harbor, NJ on May 31, 2022
103 Cestone Court
West Creek, NJ 08092
Tel: [phone]
Cell: [phone]
(John Schriever)

Bill Avery's Quality Bay Clams LLC
Approved for Quahogs from Beach Thorofare raceways on September 1, 2022
Approved for Quahogs from Shelter Island Channel on June 9, 2022
741 E. Great Creek Rd.
Galloway, NJ 08205
Tel: [phone]
email: [e-mail]
(Bill Avery)

Cape Cod Oyster Co.
Approved for oysters from North Bay FLUPSY on May 31, 2022
262 Bridge St.
Osterville, Ma. 02655
Tel: [phone]
(Dave Ryan/Al Suprenant)

Chatham Shellfish Co.
Approved for oysters on April 25, 2022
393 Barn Hill Rd
Chatham, MA 02633
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website Order Form: http://www.chathamoysters.com/oyster-seed/
(Stephen Wright/John Richards)

Cape Shellfish Seed (Oysters and Quahogs)
1 Shipyard Ln. Bourne MA
Tel: [phone]
Contact: Rod Taylor

Clam Daddy's
Approved for Quahogs from Atlantic City raceways on July 29, 2022
1204 E. Shore Dr.
Brigantine, NJ 08203
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.clamdaddys.com
(Lori Mayer/Bill Mayer)

Downeast Institute
Approved for Softshell Clam from Beals, ME Hatchery Facility on September 22, 2022
P.O. Box 83
39 Wildflower Lane
Beals, ME 04611-0083
Tel: [phone]
(Kyle Pepperman - Manager)

East Beach Oysters
Approved on 8/14/19 for upweller oyster seed from Ninigret Pond, Wakefield, RI
Email: [e-mail]
(Nick Papa)

Ferrycliffe Farm (Oysters Only)
1 Old Ferry Rd.
Bristol, RI 02809
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
(Dale Leavitt)

Fishers Island Oyster Farm 
Approved for oysters on March 30, 2022
P.O. Box 402
Fishers Island, NY 06390
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
(Steve Malinowski)

Great Atlantic Shellfish Farm (Oysters Only)
333 Bay View Ave.
East Islip, NY 11730
Tel: [phone]
(Marty)

Husselton Head Oysters
Approved for bay scallops on October 14, 2022
P.O. Box 1410
Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
(Jeffrey Canha)

Island Creek Shellfish Company
Approved for oysters from Duxbury hatchery on May 19, 2022
Approved for oysters from Sakonnet River, RI upwellers on May 19, 2022
Approved for oysters from Pirate Cove Marina, RI upwellers on May 19, 2022
P.O. Box 2426
Duxbury, MA. 02331
Tel: [phone]
(Skip Bennett)

Marine Bioservices Co. (Quahogs Only)
General Delivery, High Island
South Bristol, ME 04568
Tel: [phone]
(John Sheldon)

Marshall Point Sea Farm, LLC (Surf Clams only)
P.O. Box 285
18 Lobster Pound Rd.
Port Clyde, ME 04855
Office Tel: [phone]
Office Fax: [phone]
Hatchery Tel: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
(Mike Anderson, Hatchery Manager)

Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group
Approved for bay scallops on May 19, 2022
Note: Due to limited supplies this source prioritizes growers in Dukes County
P.O. Box 1552
Oak Bluffs, MA. 02557
Tel: [phone]
(Emma Green-Beach)

Matunuck Oyster Co. (Oysters only)
629 Succotash Rd
South Kingston, RI 02879
Tel: [phone]
(Perry Raso)

Mook Sea Farm
Approved for Oysters from Walpole hatchery on May 2, 2022
321 State Route 129
Walpole, ME 04573
Tel: [phone]
(Bill Mook)

Muscongus Bay Aquaculture
Approved for oysters from Kingman Yacht Center on July 19, 2022
Approved for quahogs from Bremen, ME hatchery on June 24, 2022
Approved for oysters from New Meadows River on June 6, 2022
Approved for oysters from Bremen hatchery on April 25, 2022
P.O. Box 158
Route 32
Bremen, Maine 04551
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
(Tonie Simmons)

Niantic Bay Shellfish Farm
Stonington, CT
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
(Timothy A. Londregan III)​

Northeastern Massachusetts Aquaculture Center (Soft Shell Clams Only)
Salem State College
Salem, MA 01970
Tel: [phone]
(Joe Buttner)

Pangea Shellfish Company/ Standish Shore Oyster Farm
Approved for oysters from Duxbury Bay Upweller on June 24, 2022
Note: This seed source is not servicing new growers
(Ben Lloyd)

Park City Seafood, LLC.
Approved for Oysters from Pequonnock River on September 1, 2022
1980 Main Street
Stratford, CT 06615
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
(Mike Julian)

Pemaquid Oyster Co. (Oysters Only)
P.O. Box 302
Waldoboro, ME 04572
Tel: [phone] (office)
[phone] (sales)
(Chris Davis)

Quality Bay Clams LLC (Quahogs Only)
741 E. Great Creek Rd.
Galloway, NJ 08205
Tel: [phone]
email: [e-mail]
(Bill Avery)

Running Tide Technologies
Approved for oysters from Harpswell hatchery on July 22, 2022
Approved for quahogs from Harpswell hatchery on July 22, 2022
Approved for surf clams (S. solidissima) from Harpswell hatchery on April 15, 2022
84 Mitchell Field Dr.
Harpswell, ME 04079
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
(Karl Eschholz)

Salt Pond Oyster Co.
Approved for oysters from Point Judith Pond, RI on October 4, 2022
221 Broad Hill Way
Wakefield, RI 02879
(Dave Roebuck)

Smalls Marine Farm
1238 Main St. 
Brewster, Ma. 02631
508-360-2690
Email: [e-mail]

Ward Aquafarms, LLC 
51 N. Falmouth Hwy
N. Falmouth, MA
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
(Dan Ward)