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-63-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: The Intracoastal Waterway area between IWW Beacon "59" and the Onslow Beach Bridge, to include Freeman Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Issued Date: 7/25/2023

Counties Affected: Onslow

PA-62-2023

This proclamation closes the following areas in Carteret County: Newport River and Bogue Sound from the Intracoastal Waterway to the mainland between the permanent closure line at 16th St. in Morehead City and IWW Beacon "8", to include the intracoastal waterway.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective 8:20am, Monday, July 24th, 2023.

Issued Date: 7/24/2023

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-61-2023

This proclamation closes the following areas in New Hanover, Pender, and Onslow Counties: Middle Sound, Pages Creek, Topsail Sound, Old Topsail Creek, Virginia Creek, Beckys Creek, Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, Salliers Bay, and Freeman Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closure effective at 8:05 a.m., Thursday, July 20, 2023.

Issued Date: 7/20/2023

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Pender, and Onslow

PA-60-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Saturday, July 15, 2023.

Issued Date: 7/14/2023

Counties Affected: Pender and Onslow

PA-59-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, Queens Creek, North River, and Brett Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Friday, July 14, 2023.

Issued Date: 7/13/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick, Onslow, and Carteret

PA-58-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Neuse River, Broad Creek, and Bay River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Thursday, July 13, 2023.

Issued Date: 7/12/2023

Counties Affected: Pamlico

PA-57-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Masonboro Sound, Newport River, Core Creek, a portion of North River, Ward Creek, Oyster Creek, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Issued Date: 7/11/2023

Counties Affected: New Hanover and Carteret

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