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.

2021 Proclamations

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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-43-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Myrtle Grove Sound, Masonboro Sound, Core Creek, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Oyster Creek, and Nelson Bay

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

Issued Date: 7/15/2025

Counties Affected: New Hanover and Carteret

PA-42-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, Shallotte River, Shallotte Inlet, Lockwoods Folly River, Lockwoods Folly Inlet, and Stump Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, July 12, 2025.

Issued Date: 7/11/2025

Counties Affected: Brunswick, Pender, and Onslow.

PA-41-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in Onslow and Carteret Counties: Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, Queens Creek, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Oyster Creek, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:05 a.m., Friday, July 11, 2025.

Issued Date: 7/11/2025

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-40-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Topsail Sound, Virginia Creek, and Beckys Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, July 11. 2025.

Issued Date: 7/10/2025

Counties Affected: Pender

PA-39-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Myrtle Grove Sound, a portion of Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound, and Pages Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, July 10, 2025.

Issued Date: 7/9/2025

Counties Affected: New Hanover

PA-38-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, and Carteret Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Shallotte River, Shallotte Inlet, Lockwoods Folly River, Lockwoods Folly Inlet, Myrtle Grove Sound, Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound, Pages Creek, Virginia Creek, Beckys Creek, Stump Sound, and Core Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:10 a.m., Sunday, July 6, 2025.

Issued Date: 7/6/2025

Counties Affected: Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Onlsow, and Carteret.

PA-37-2025

This proclamation returns the following area to normal closure boundaries: Alligator Bay

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, July 3, 2025.

Issued Date: 7/2/2025

Counties Affected: Onslow

PA-36-2025

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, June 27, 2025.

Issued Date: 6/26/2025

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-35-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Myrtle Grove Sound and Queens Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, June 26, 2025.

Issued Date: 6/25/2025

Counties Affected: New Hanover and Onslow

PA-34-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Stump Sound, Salliers Bay, and Bear Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

Issued Date: 6/24/2025

Counties Affected: Onslow