To study the contamination of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh shellfish collected from shellfish beds, and to analyze their virulence genes and antibiotic resistance.Methods Presumptive Listeria monocytogenes were isolated from 200 shellfish samples using the national food safety standard, Food Microbiological Examination:Lisiteria monocytogenes (GB/T 4789.30-2010). The antimicrobial resistance was performed by Kirby-Bauer method and the virulence genes were determined by PCR amplification. Results Among 4 (2.0%) Listeria monocytogenes isolates, 2 strains lacked inlB gene or mpl gene respectively. All the 4 strains were susceptible to the first-line therapeutic antibiotics including ampicillin and gentamicin. Two strains were resistant to tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazol and 1 strain was resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazol and ofloxacin. Conclusion Samples collected from the shellfish beds were contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, of which some isolates were lack of virulence genes and were resistant to several important antibiotics. It was necessary to strengthen the contamination and drug resistance monitoring of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh primary aquatic products.