Applicants for all shellfish permits must be town residents for one year, over the age of 16 and have valid current New York State Shellfish diggers permits. Persons applying for a Commercial Mussel Permit must relinquish their town Commercial Hard Clam Permit if previously issued. Commercial fees are $250 for clams and $50 for mussels. Commercial clam and mussel harvesters are limited to 6 bushels a day in certified waters of the Town of Hempstead. Non-commercial clam permit fees are $10 ($5 for senior citizens) and non-commercial mussel permit fees are $10 ($2 for senior citizens). Non-commercial mussel harvesters are limited to 1/4 bushel a day from certified waters in the Town of Hempstead. To obtain a shellfish permit contact the Department of Conservation and Waterways at (516) 431-9200.