Polluted Area Proclamations - Archive

Polluted area proclamations that 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 listen to the 24-hour automated list of the latest shellfish openings and closings, call: 252-726-6827 (press 1). For questions regarding shellfish bacteriological closings, call Andrew Haines at 252-726-6827 (ext. 8149) or email him at andrew.haines@ncdenr.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@ncdenr.gov), or call 252-808-8118.

Proclamations

PA-24-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in Beaufort, Hyde, and Dare Counties: Pungo River, Spencer Bay, Germantown Bay, Rose Bay, Swanquarter Bay, Juniper Bay, West Bluff Bay, East Bluff Bay, Wysocking Bay, Long Shoal River, Parched Corn Bay, and Sandy Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 7:50 a.m., Friday, July 24, 2026.

Issued Date: 7/24/2026

Counties Affected: Beaufort, Hyde, and Dare

PA-23-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Bay River, Bear Creek, Chadwick Creek, Gale Creek, Jones Bay, and Oyster Creek (Pamlico County).

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, July 23, 2026.

Issued Date: 7/22/2026

Counties Affected: Pamlico

PA-22-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Myrtle Grove Sound, Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound, and Topsail Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, July 18, 2026.

Issued Date: 7/17/2026

Counties Affected: New Hanover and Pender

PA-21-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in New Hanover, Pender, and Pamlico Counties: A portion of Myrtle Grove Sound, a portion of Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound, Pages Creek, a portion of Topsail Sound, Bear Creek (Pamlico County), Chadwick Creek, Gale Creek, Jones Bay, Oyster Creek (Pamlico County), James Creek, Middle Prong, and Clark Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:10 a.m., Monday, July 13, 2026.

Issued Date: 7/13/2026

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Pender, and Pamlico

PA-20-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Newport River, Core Creek, North River, Ward Creek, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, and Brett Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, July 3, 2026.

Issued Date: 7/2/2026

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-19-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in Carteret County: Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, and Brett Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:00 a.m., Monday, June 29, 2026.

Issued Date: 6/29/2026

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-18-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in Carteret County: Newport River, Core Creek, North River, Ward Creek, Whitehurst Creek, and Sleepy Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 7:30 a.m., Sunday, June 28, 2026.

Issued Date: 6/28/2026

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-17-2026

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, June 26, 2026.

Issued Date: 6/25/2026

Counties Affected: Pender and Onslow

PA-16-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, Queens Creek, White Oak River, and Bogue Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, June 25, 2026.

Issued Date: 6/24/2026

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-15-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in Pender, Onslow, and Carteret Counties: Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, a portion of the Intracoastal Waterway, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, Queens Creek, and White Oak River.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 7:30 a.m., Saturday, June 20, 2026.

Issued Date: 6/20/2026

Counties Affected: Pender, Onslow, and Carteret