David Paling, retired athletic director at Middleboro High School and longtime Wareham resident, was finding that "retirement doesn't fit real well." So he opted for a second career.

Appearing before Selectmen Tuesday night, Paling received approval for a "shellfish grant," allowing him to cultivate oysters and quahogs in a 6.18-acre piece of town-owned water off Long Beach.

Explaining his plan to Selectmen, Paling said he has spent "50-something of my 60-something years" living in Wareham, currently near another man's shellfish grant.

He said it was a combination of looking at that operation, a lifetime of interest in the water and "DNA from my Dad" that got him interested in raising shellfish himself.

Harbormaster Garry Buckminster spoke in favor of Paling's application. In fact, it was Buckminster's input that expanded Paling's original request for a 3-acre near-shore grant to the 6+ acres, extending out into deeper water. Buckminster said that would provide "wintering protection."

The grant was unanimously approved by the five Selectmen.