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-33-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: The Intracoastal Waterway between the Onslow Beach Bridge and IWW Beacon "65A", and a portion of Newport River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effect at sunrise, Saturday, June 21, 2025.

Issued Date: 6/19/2025

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-32-2025

This proclamation returns the following area to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Stump Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, June 20, 2025.

Issued Date: 6/19/2025

Counties Affected: Pender and Onslow 

PA-31-2025

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, June 19, 2025.

Issued Date: 6/18/2025

Counties Affected: Brunswick

PA-29-2025

This proclamation closes the following area in Carteret County: A portion of Newport River.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 7:50 a.m., Tuesday June 17, 2025.

Issued Date: 6/17/2025

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-30-2025

This proclamation returns the following area to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Myrtle Grove Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

Issued Date: 6/17/2025

Counties Affected: New Hanover

PA-28-2025

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

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:00 a.m., Sunday, June 15, 2025.

Issued Date: 6/15/2025

Counties Affected: Pender and Onslow

PA-27-2025

This proclamation closes the following area in New Hanover County: A portion of Myrtle Grove Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closure effective at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Issued Date: 6/14/2025

Counties Affected: New Hanover

PA-26-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Topsail Sound, Old Topsail Creek, Virginia Creek, Beckys Creek, a portion of Stump Sound, Chadwick Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, and Newport River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Issued Date: 6/13/2025

Counties Affected: Pender, Onslow, and Carteret

PA-25-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Middle Sound, Pages Creek, and a portion of Topsail Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

Issued Date: 6/10/2025

Counties Affected: New Hanover and Pender

PA-24-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, and Carteret Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, 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, and a portion of Newport River.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:00 a.m., Friday, June 6, 2025.

Issued Date: 6/6/2025

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