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-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.

PA-51-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, a portion of Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, Nelson Bay, Core Sound, Thorofare Bay, Rumley Bay, Lewis Creek, and Cedar Island Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, August 7, 2025.

Issued Date: 8/6/2025

Counties Affected: Brunswick and Carteret

PA-50-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Myrtle Grove Sound, Masonboro Sound, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Straits, and Westmouth Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

Issued Date: 8/5/2025

Counties Affected: New Hanover and Carteret

PA-49-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in New Hanover, Onslow, Carteret, and Craven Counties: A portion of Masonboro Sound, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Newport River, Core Creek, North River, Ward Creek, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Straits, Westmouth Bay, Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, Nelson Bay, a portion of Core Creek, Thorofare Bay, Rumley Bay, Lewis Creek, Cedar Island Bay, North Bay, West Thorofare Bay, West Bay, Long Bay, Turnagain Bay, South River, Adams Creek, and a portion of Neuse River.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:10 a.m., Saturday, August 2, 2025.

Issued Date: 8/2/2025

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

PA-48-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick and Onslow Counties: Lockwoods Folly River, Lockwoods Folly Inlet, Bear Creek, and Queens Creek.                                                                               

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:00 a.m., Friday, August 1, 2025

Issued Date: 8/1/2025

Counties Affected: Brunswick and Onslow

PA-47-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick and New Hanover counties: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, and a portion of Myrtle Grove Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:00 a.m., Thursday, July 31, 2025.

Issued Date: 7/31/2025

Counties Affected: Brunswick and New Hanover

PA-46-2025

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, July 26, 2025.

Issued Date: 7/25/2025

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-45-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in Carteret County: A portion of Newport River, and a portion of North River.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 7:55 a.m., Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

Issued Date: 7/22/2025

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-44-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, and Queens Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, July 17, 2025.

Issued Date: 7/16/2025

Counties Affected: Onslow