Polluted Area Proclamations

Polluted area proclamations include temporary closures and re-openings to shellfish harvest as a result of bacteriological water quality, as well as changes in descriptions of permanently closed areas due to Sanitary Survey findings.

To reach the 24-hour automated message listing the latest shellfish harvest closures, please dial 252-515-5656.  For questions regarding bacteriological closures, call Andrew Haines at 252-515-5617, or email him at Andrew.haines@deq.nc.gov.

 

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Shellfish Sanitation Maps

To see an interactive map of temporary closures: Click here.

To access maps of permanently closed areas and written permanent closure descriptions: Click here. (Click on the growing area label in the map and then click on the "Attachments" link that appears in the pop up window.) 

To receive recent maps referenced in proclamations via mail, contact Andrew Haines (Andrew.Haines@deq.nc.gov), or call 252-515-5617.

Proclamations

PA-49-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, Queens Creek, White Oak River, Bogue Sound, Deer Creek, Hunting Island Bay, Goose Creek, and Sanders Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, September 11, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/10/2026

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-48-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Newport River, North River, and Ward Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, September 10, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/9/2026

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-47-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in New Hanover County: A portion of Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound, and Pages Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:00 a.m., Monday, September 7, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/7/2026

Counties Affected: New Hanover

PA-46-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in Onslow and Carteret Counties: Chadwick Bay, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, Queens Creek, White Oak River, a portion of Bogue Sound, Deer Creek, Hunting Island Bay, Goose Creek, Sanders Creek, Newport River, Core Creek, a portion of North River, and Ward Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 7:45 a.m., Sunday, September 6, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/6/2026

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-45-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Topsail Sound, Virginia Creek, Beckys Creek, Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, and Adams Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, September 5, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/4/2026

Counties Affected: Pender, Onslow, Carteret, and Craven.

PA-44-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Bay River and Jones Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, September 4, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/3/2026

Counties Affected: Pamlico

PA-43-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Middle Sound, Pages Creek, and Queens Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/2/2026

Counties Affected: New Hanover and Onslow

PA-42-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Topsail Sound, Chadwick Bay, Oyster Creek, and South River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/1/2026

Counties Affected: Pender, Onslow and Carteret

PA-41-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, Onslow, and Pamlico Counties: Ocean Isle Beach, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, Bay River, and Jones Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 7:50 a.m., Sunday, August 30, 2026.

Issued Date: 8/30/2026

Counties Affected: Brunswick, Onslow, and Pamlico.

PA-40-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Bear Creek, Newport River, Core Creek, North River, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Brett Bay, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Saturday, August 29, 2026.

Issued Date: 8/28/2026

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

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