Commercial and recreational shellfishermen help with the quahog relay, which takes several days. Wellfleet’s Assistant Shellfish Constable Johnny “Clam” Mankevetch says the town very much appreciates the help. “Moving 90-pound boxes with three people is a lonely experience,” he said.
By Doreen Leggett
Wellfleet is famous for oysters, but the town also has an enviable quahog population, due in part to dedicated volunteers who help the shellfish department with their annual “relay” of quahogs from Taunton River. Over the course of several days in May, around 1,200 totes of clams made the trip over the bridge, placed in Wellfleet Harbor. The state runs the program; a multitude of clams are taken from the river, which is off limits to harvesting because of low water quality, purchased by towns to improve their shellfish programs. Clams cleanse themselves over months, spawn the next generation, and then become available for commercial and recreational harvest.
The clams arrive after being picked up in Swansea, under the watchful eye of a police officer.
The barge pulls in, manned by the appropriately-named Johnny “Clam” Mankevetch, Wellfleet’s Assistant Shellfish Constable.
It’s all hands on deck as thousands of clams are loaded onto the barge. Our own Ray Rowell helps out.
The barge fills up fast with the amount of volunteers.
Nancy Civetta, Wellfleet’s shellfish constable, sorts the quahogs on the way out.
The clams will spawn at least once before they are harvested, helping to grow the population in Chipman’s Cove.
Seasonal deputy Sawyer Ohman had an interesting first day on the job.
Shellfish Deputy Constable Sarah Comstock helps disperse the quahogs in Chipman’s Cove. Wellfleet has participated in the state’s program for seven years.
Saruta Murphy, commercial shellfisherman, is all smiles after the job is completed, while David Aronow, volunteer with Johnny Clam’s crew and shellfish advisory board member, talks to Johnny Clam.