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-10-2026

This proclamation returns the following area to normal closure boundaries: Bogue Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Issued Date: 4/29/2026

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-9-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in Carteret County: Bogue Sound, Newport River, North River, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:00 a.m., Monday, April 27, 2026.

Issued Date: 4/27/2026

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-8-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in Onslow and Carteret Counties: Queens Creek, a portion of Newport River, Core Creek, Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, and Brett Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:15 a.m., Sunday, April 26, 2026.

Issued Date: 4/26/26

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-7-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, and Queens Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, April 11, 2026

Issued Date: 4/10/2026

Counties Affected: Pender and Onslow

PA-6-2026

This proclamation returns the following area to normal boundaries: Newport River

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, April 9, 2026

Issued Date: 4/8/2026

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-5-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in Pender, Onslow, and Carteret Counties: Topsail Sound, Stump Sound, Chadwick Bay, Queens Creek, and a portion of Newport River.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:00 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2026.

Issued Date: 4/6/2026

Counties Affected: Pender, Onslow and Carteret

PA-4-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Masonboro Sound and Middle Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, March 26, 2026.

Issued Date: 3/25/2026

Counties Affected: New Hanover

PA-3-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Lockwoods Folly Inlet and Lockwoods Folly River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Issued Date: 3/24/2026

Counties Affected: Brunswick

PA-2-2026

This proclamation returns the following area to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Masonboro Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Friday, March 20, 2026.

Issued Date: 3/19/2026

Counties Affected: New Hanover

PA-1-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick and New Hanover Counties: Holden Beach, Lockwoods Folly River, Lockwoods Folly Inlet, Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound, and Pages Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:05 a.m., Tuesday, March 17, 2026.

Issued Date: 3/17/2026

Counties Affected: Brunswick and New Hanover

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