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

Proclamations

PA-72-2024

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, New Hanover, Onslow, and Carteret Counties: Cape Fear River, Bald Head Island, Myrtle Grove Sound, Masonboro Sound, New River, Bogue Inlet Area, Deer Creek, Hunting Island Bay, Goose Creek, Sanders Creek, Broad Creek, and Gales Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish temporary closures effective at 8:10 a.m., Thursday, August 8, 2024.

Issued Date: 8/8/2024

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

PA-71-2024

This proclamation closes the following area in Carteret County: A portion of Bogue Sound near the Emerald Isle Woods stormwater drainage system.

Effective Date: Shellfish temporary closure effective at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

Issued Date: 8/7/2024

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-70-2024

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Onslow and Carteret Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Shallotte River, the Shallotte Inlet Area, Lockwoods Folly River, Lockwoods Folly Inlet Area, Middle Sound, Pages Creek, Topsail Sound, Old Topsail Creek, Virginia Creek, Beckys Creek, Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, Queens Creek, White Oak River, Newport River, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:10 a.m., Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

Issued Date: 8/7/2024

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

PA-69-2024

This proclamation closes the following areas in Pender and Onslow Counties: Stump Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish temporary closure effective at 8:10 a.m., Saturday, August 3, 2024.

Issued Date: 8/3/2024

Counties Affected: Pender and Onslow

PA-68-2024

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, August 3, 2024.

Issued Date: 8/2/2024

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-67-2024

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Ocean Isle Beach, a portion of Newport River, Wade Creek, Oyster Creek, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, August 2, 2024. 

Issued Date: 8/1/2024

Counties Affected: Brunswick and Carteret

PA-66-2024

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Myrtle Grove Sound, Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound, Pages Creek, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, White Oak River, a portion of Bogue Sound, Deer Creek, Hunting Island Bay, Goose Creek, Sanders Creek, Broad Creek, a portion of Newport River, Core Creek, and a portion of North River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, August 1, 2024.

Issued Date: 7/31/2024

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Onslow, and Carteret

PA-65-2024

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of North River, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, a portion of Jarrett Bay, and Brett Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

Issued Date: 7/30/2024

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-64-2024

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, New Hanover, Onslow, and Carteret Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, Lockwoods Folly Inlet, Myrtle Grove Sound, Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, White Oak River, Deer Creek, Hunting Island Bay, Goose Creek, Sanders Creek, Broad Creek, Gales Creek, a portion of Bogue Sound, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Brett Bay, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish temporary closures effective at 8:20 a.m., Saturday, July 27, 2024.

Issued Date: 7/27/2024

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

PA-63-2024

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

Effective Date: Shellfish temporary closures effective at 8:00 a.m., Friday, July 26, 2024.

Issued Date: 7/26/2024

Counties Affected: Brunswick and Carteret