Cohasset, Scituate Settle Harbor Dispute with Five-Year Agreement

After years of legal back-and-forth, the towns of Cohasset and Scituate have reached a five-year agreement resolving their long-running conflict over the management and use of Cohasset Harbor.

The pact, jointly announced by both towns, ends disputes related to shellfishing and aquaculture in the outer harbor area located within Scituate’s territorial boundaries with both towns pledging to move forward collaboratively.

Under the agreement, Cohasset will dismiss its appeals of the Attorney General’s disapproval of its Navigation Bylaw and the Division of Marine Fisheries' approval of aquaculture licenses issued by Scituate. In turn, Scituate will drop its declaratory judgment claim related to mooring regulation within its boundary in the harbor.

In a significant shift toward cooperation, Cohasset will now support Scituate’s plan to license six acres for commercial aquaculture, including two newly approved acres. Scituate, for its part, agrees that Cohasset will oversee the inner harbor area—regulating moorings and collecting mooring fees and excise taxes—in exchange for Cohasset continuing to manage and maintain the space.

The agreement also includes a plan to modify regulations aimed at minimizing the risk of shellfish closures caused by unforeseen circumstances.

“While this agreement resolves past differences, it's really a new beginning,” said Cohasset Select Board Chair Ellen Maher and Scituate Select Board Chair Andrew Goodrich in a joint statement. “It's an opportunity for our towns to collaborate, grow and ensure a better future for all residents.”

Any future aquaculture expansion will require cooperation between the towns, reinforcing a spirit of mutual planning.

The announcement marks a major turning point in what had been a contentious debate over harbor jurisdiction and marine resources, with both towns prioritizing long-term benefits for their residents and local ecosystems.

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