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-78-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, Pender, Onslow, and Carteret Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, Lockwoods Folly River, Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, Queens Creek, White Oak River, a portion of Bogue Sound, Newport River, North River, Ward Creek, Straits, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, Nelson Bay, Thorofare Bay, Rumley Bay, Cedar Island Bay, and a portion of Core Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:05 a.m., Sunday, October 12, 2025.

Issued Date: 10/12/2025

Counties Affected: Brunswick, Pender, Onslow, and Carteret

PA-77-2025

This proclamation returns the following area to normal closure boundaries: Shallotte River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Saturday, October 11, 2025.

Issued Date: 10/10/2025

Counties Affected: Brunswick

PA-76-2025

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Issued Date: 10/8/2025

Counties Affected: New Hanover and Pender

PA-75-2025

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

Issued Date: 10/7/2025

Counties Affected: Brunswick and Carteret

PA-74-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Myrtle Grove Sound and a portion of Topsail Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, October 3, 2025.

Issued Date: 10/2/2025

Counties Affected: New Hanover and Pender

PA-73-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick and New Hanover Counties: Shallotte River, Holden Beach, Lockwoods Folly River, Lockwoods Folly Inlet Area, and a portion of Myrtle Grove Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

Issued Date: 9/30/2025

Counties Affected: Brunswick and New Hanover

PA-72-2025

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

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:00 a.m., Monday, September 29, 2025.

Issued Date: 9/29/2025

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-71-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, Middle Sound, and a portion of Topsail Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:20 a.m., Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Issued Date: 9/27/2025

Counties Affected: Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender

PA-70-2025

This proclamation returns the following area to normal closure boundaries: North River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Issued Date: 9/26/2025

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-69-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Newport River and Core Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, September 25, 2025.

Issued Date: 9/23/2025

Counties Affected: Carteret