Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 130, § 55

No permit for the taking of shellfish for commercial purposes, except in the city of New Bedford, shall be issued by the aldermen or councilmen of any city or the selectmen of any town to an alien unless he has resided in such city or town for at least five years next preceding the date of his application therefor, or has been a resident of the county in which such city or town lies for at least five years next preceding the date of such application and has taken shellfish commercially therefrom for such period.