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-61-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, a portion of the Intracoastal Waterway near Holden Beach, Bay River, Jones Bay, and Oyster Creek (Pamlico County).

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, August 21, 2025.

Issued Date: 8/20/2025

Counties Affected: Brunswick and Pamlico

PA-60-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Middle Sound, a portion of Topsail Sound, a portion of Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, a portion of Newport River, Core Creek, Whitehurst Creek, and Sleepy Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

Issued Date: 8/19/2025

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

PA-59-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, White Oak River, and a portion of Bouge Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, August 16, 2025.

Issued Date: 8/15/2025

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-58-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, Carteret, and Pamlico Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, Shallotte River, Holden Beach, Lockwoods Folly River, Lockwoods Folly Inlet, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Bay River, Jones Bay, Oyster Creek, James Creek, Middle Prong, and Clark Creek.

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

Issued Date: 8/15/2025

Counties Affected: Brunswick, Carteret, and Pamlico.

PA-57-2025

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, August 15, 2025.

Issued Date: 8/14/2025

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-56-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of North River, Ward Creek, and Wade Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, August 14, 2025.

Issued Date: 8/13/2025

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-55-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in Onslow and Carteret Counties: Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, Queens Creek, White Oak River, Deer Creek, Hunting Island Bay, Goose Creek, Sanders Creek, Broad Creek, Gales Creek, a portion of Bogue Sound, Newport River, and Core Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 7:55 a.m., Monday, August 11, 2025.

Issued Date: 8/11/2025

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-54-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Newport River, Core Creek, and a portion of North River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, August 9, 2025.

Issued Date: 8/8/2025

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-53-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Adams Creek, South River, Neuse River, Turnagain Bay, Long Bay, West Bay, West Thorofare Bay, and North Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, August 8, 2025.

Issued Date: 8/7/2025

Counties Affected: Carteret and Craven

PA-52-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in New Hanover, Pender, and Onslow Counties: Middle Sound, Pages Creek, a portion of Topsail sound, Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, and Chadwick Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:00 a.m., Thursday, August 7, 2025.

Issued Date: 8/7/2025

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Pender, and Onslow.