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-79-2024

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Myrtle Grove Sound, Masonboro Sound, Queens Creek, Bogue Inlet, and a portion of Newport River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, August 24, 2024.

Issued Date: 8/23/2024

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Onslow, and Carteret

PA-78-2024

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, August 23, 2024.

Issued Date: 8/22/2024

Counties Affected: Brunswick

PA-77-2024

This proclamation reestablishes a temporary closure that must remain in place due to a sewer spill that occurred at the Morehead City Wastewater Treatment Plant on August 10, 2024.

Effective Date: Shellfish temporary closure effective at 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

Issued Date: 8/21/2024

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-76-2024

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Stump Sound, Chadwick Bay, New River, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, and the Browns and Bear Inlet Areas.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, August 22, 2024.

Issued Date: 8/21/2024

Counties Affected: Pender and Onslow

PA-75-2024

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Myrtle Grove Sound, a portion of Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound, Pages Creek, Topsail Sound, Old Topsail Creek, Virginia Creek, Beckys Creek, a portion of Newport River, Core Creek, North River, Ward Creek, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

Issued Date: 8/20/2024

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Pender, and Carteret

PA-74-2024

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Bogue Sound, Deer Creek, Hunting Island Bay, Goose Creek, Gales Creek, and Adams Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, August 17, 2024.

Issued Date: 8/16/2024

Counties Affected: Carteret and Craven

PA-73-2024

This proclamation closes the following areas in Carteret and Craven Counties: A portion of Bogue Sound, North River, Ward Creek, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, and Adams Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish temporary closures effective at 7:50 a.m., Saturday, August 10, 2024.

Issued Date: 8/10/2024

Counties Affected: Carteret and Craven

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