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-96-2023

This proclamation returns the following area to normal closure boundaries: Wade Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Saturday, October 7, 2023.

Issued Date: 10/6/2023

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-95-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Friday, October 6, 2023.

Issued Date: 10/05/2023

Counties Affected: Pamlico

PA-94-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Tubbs Inlet, Lockwoods Folly River, Bogue Sound, Newport River, Core Creek, North River, Ward Creek, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, a portion of Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, October 5, 2023.

Issued Date: 10/4/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick and Carteret

PA-93-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Middle Sound, Topsail Sound, Old Topsail Creek, Virginia Creek, Beckys Creek, Stump Sound, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, White Oak River, Deer Creek, Hunting Island Bay, Goose Creek, Sanders Creek, and a portion of Bogue Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

Issued Date: 10/3/2023

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Pender, Onslow and Carteret.

PA-92-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Middle Sound, Pages Creek, a portion of Topsail Sound, a portion of Bogue Sound, and Tar Landing Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, September 30, 2023.

Issued Date: 9/29/2023

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Pender and Carteret

PA-91-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, New River, Long Bay, West Bay, North Bay, Turnagain Bay, South River, Adams Creek, Neuse River, and Broad Creek (Pamlico County).

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, September 29, 2023.

Issued Date: 9/28/2023

Counties Affected: Pender, Onslow, Carteret and Pamlico

PA-90-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Thursday, September 28, 2023.

Issued Date: 9/27/2023

Counties Affected: Pamlico

PA-89-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Straits, a portion of Jarrett Bay, Core Sound, Thorofare Bay, Barry Bay, Rumley Bay, Lewis Creek, and Cedar Island Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, September 27,2023.

Issued Date: 9/26/2023

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-88-2023

This proclamation the following areas in Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico Counties: Lockwoods Folly River, Middle Sound, a portion of Topsail Sound, Old Topsail Creek, Virginia Creek, Beckys Creek, Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, New River, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, White Oak River, Bogue Sound, Newport River, North River, Ward Creek, Straits, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, Nelson Bay, a portion of Core Sound, Thorofare Bay, Rumley Bay, Lewis Creek, Cedar Island Bay, West Bay, Long Bay, Turnagain Bay, South River, Adams Creek, Neuse River, Bay River, and Jones Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:30 A.M., Saturday, September 23, 2023.

Issued Date: 9/23/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico.

PA-87-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Thursday, September 21, 2023.

Issued Date: 9/20/2023

Counties Affected: Onslow