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-76-2023

This proclamation closes Brunswick County, New Hanover County, Pender County, Onslow County, Bogue Sound, Newport River, North River, Ward Creek, Straits, Back Sound, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, Nelson Bay, a portion of Core Sound, Thorofare Bay, Cedar Island Bay, West Bay, Long Bay, Turnagain Bay, Neuse River, South River, Adams Creek, Bay River, Jones Bay, Pamlico River, Pungo River, Spencer Bay, Rose Bay, Swanquarter Bay, Juniper Bay, Wysocking Bay, Long Shoal River, Ocracoke, and Hatteras, due to the impacts from Tropical Storm Idalia.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:30 A.M., Thursday, August 31, 2023.

Issued Date: 8/31/2023

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

PA-75-2023

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick and Carteret Counties: Lockwoods Folly River, Newport River, Core Creek, North River, Ward Creek, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, and Oyster Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:05 A.M., Monday, August 28, 2023.

Issued Date: 8/28/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick and Carteret

PA-74-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, August 24, 2023.

Issued Date: 08/23/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick and Carteret

PA-73-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, Nelson Bay, Thorofare Bay, Barry Bay, Rumley Bay, Lewis Creek, and Cedar Island Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Issued Date: 8/22/2023

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-72-2023

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick and Carteret Counties; Lockwoods Folly River, a portion of Newport River, Core Creek, North River, Ward Creek, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, Nelson Bay, Thorofare Bay, Rumley Bay, Lewis Creek, and Cedar Island Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective 8:10 A.M., Thursday, August 17, 2023.

Issued Date: 8/17/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick and Carteret

PA-71-2023

This proclamation returns the following area to normal closure boundaries: The Intracoastal Waterway near Ocean Isle Beach.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Saturday, August 12, 2023.

Issued Date: 8/11/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick

PA-70-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, August 11, 2023.

Issued Date: 8/10/2023

Counties Affected: Pender and Onslow

PA-69-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Wednesday, August 9, 2023.

Issued Date: 8/8/2023

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-68-2023

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, Pender, Onslow, and Carteret Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, Queens Creek, North River, Ward Creek, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective 8:05 a.m., Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Issued Date: 8/5/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick, Pender, Onslow, Carteret

PA-67-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Saturday, August 5, 2023.

Issued Date: 8/4/2023

Counties Affected: Onslow