Nantucket Shellfish Board Moves to Overhaul Scallop Apprenticeship Rules Before Next Season

NANTUCKET -- April 7, 2026, Nantucket shellfish board moves to overhaul commercial scallop apprenticeship program before next season. The Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board directed members at its April 7 meeting to draft revised shellfish regulations for presentation to the Select Board no later than August, targeting adoption before the November commercial season opener. Board member Jim Sherwin argued that requiring both a state license and a town license before any day counts toward the 25-day apprenticeship is discouraging young entrants, noting that a student should not be "out $290 to go one time with me to get one apprentice day." Natural resources staff confirmed a two-page best management practices draft is already in development and said shellfish warden JC and NRD Director Jeff would need to sign off before any package goes to the Select Board. The board separately agreed to invite coastal resiliency manager Vince Murphy to brief it on whether extension of dredging into Long Pond remains a priority on the town's dredge plan, and continued discussion of a commercial diesel fueling program for working fishing boats, with Sun Island Fuel expressing interest after longtime contact Dennis Egan's retirement. The scallop season closed at 7,410 bushels.