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-56-2023

This proclamation closes the following areas in Pender and Onslow Counties: Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, and Chadwick Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closure effective at 7:50 a.m., Monday, July 10, 2023.

Issued Date: 7/10/2023

Counties Affected: Pender and Onslow

PA-55-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Friday, July 7, 2023.

Issued Date: 7/6/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick

PA-54-2023

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, New Hanover, Onslow, Carteret, and Pamlico Counties: Tubbs Inlet, a portion of Masonboro Sound, Queens Creek, Newport River, Core Creek, North River, Ward Creek, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, Nelson Bay, a portion of Neuse River, Broad Creek, and a portion of Bay River.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closure effective at 8:10 a.m. Thursday, July 6, 2023.

Issued Date: 7/6/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick, New Hanover, Onslow, Carteret, and Pamlico

PA-53-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Saturday, July 1, 2023.

Issued Date: 6/30/2023

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Pender, and Onslow

PA-52-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Tubbs Inlet and Ocean Isle Beach.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Thursday, June 29, 2023.

Issued Date: 6/28/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick

PA-51-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Wednesday, June 28, 2023.

Issued Date: 6/27/2023

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-50-2023

This proclamation closes the following areas in New Hanover, Pender, and Onslow Counties: Middle Sound, Pages Creek, a portion of Topsail Sound, Old Topsail Creek, Virginia Creek, Beckys Creek, and Stump Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, 2023.

Issued Date: 6/27/2023

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Pender, and Onslow

PA-49-2023

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, Onslow, and Carteret Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Lockwoods Folly River, Queens Creek, White Oak River, a portion of Newport River, Core Creek, North River, and Ward Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:05 a.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2023.

Issued Date: 6/21/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick, Onslow, and Carteret

PA-48-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Wednesday, June 7, 2023.

Issued Date: 6/6/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick

PA-47-2023

This proclamation reopens any leases or franchises in New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, and Carteret Counties that were closed exclusively for relaying purposes effective at sunrise, Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

Issued Date: 6/5/2023

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