Harvesting local shellfish can be a great way to save money, but officials are warning about contamination

First, anyone who wants to harvest shellfish — clams, oysters, crab, prawn — needs a tidal waters sport fishing licence. An annual licence for a B.C. resident is under $26.

Erin Milligan, shellfish sanitation program coordinator for Fisheries and Oceans Canada, said it’s important to read and understand the conditions of the licence.