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-24-2024

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Tubbs Inlet, a portion of the Shallotte Inlet area, Sallier's Bay, and White Oak River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, April 4, 2024.

Issued Date: 4/3/2024

Counties Affected: Brunswick, Onslow and Carteret

PA-23-2024

This proclamation opens specific leases and franchises in Carteret County as part of the shellfish relay program.

Effective Date: Shellfish leases or franchises open effective at 8:00am, Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

Issued Date: 4/2/2024

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-22-2024

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Topsail Sound, a portion of Stump Sound, Chadwick Bay, a portion of Bogue Sound, North River, and Whitehurst Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, April 3, 2024.

Issued Date: 4/2/2024

Counties Affected: Pender, Onslow and Carteret

PA-21-2024

This proclamation closes the following areas in Carteret County: A portion of Bogue Sound, Newport River, Core Creek, North River, Ward Creek, and Whitehurst Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish temporary closures effective at 8:05 a.m., Friday, March 29, 2024.

Issued Date: 3/29/2024

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-20-2024

This proclamation closes specific leases and franchises in Pender, Onslow, and Carteret Counties as part of the shellfish relay program.

Effective Date: Shellfish leases or franchises close effective sunrise, Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

Issued Date: 3/28/2024

Counties Affected: Pender, Onslow, and Carteret

PA-19-2024

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Myrtle Grove Sound, Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound, Pages 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, Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Issued Date: 3/27/2024

Counties Affected: New Hanover and Carteret

PA-18-2024

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, and Carteret Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, Shallotte River, Shallotte Inlet Area, Lockwoods Folly River, Lockwoods Folly Inlet Area, Myrtle Grove Sound, Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound, Pages Creek, a portion of 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, Core Creek, North River, Ward Creek, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish temporary closures effective at 8:15 a.m., Saturday, March 23, 2024.

Issued Date: 3/23/2024

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

PA-17-2024

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Friday, March 15, 2024.

Issued Date: 3/14/2024

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-16-2024

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Issued Date: 3/13/2024

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-15-2024

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, Lockwoods Folly River, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, and a portion of White Oak River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

Issued Date: 3/12/2024

Counties Affected: Brunswick, Onslow, and Carteret