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-57-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in Carteret County: Core Creek and the eastern side of Newport River. 

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective 8:10 A.M., Thursday, September 24, 2026. 

Issued Date: 9/24/2026

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-56-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Queens Creek, White Oak River, Deer Creek, and Hunting Island Bay. 

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Thursday, September 24, 2026. 

Issued Date: 9/23/2026

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-55-2026

This proclamation closes the following area in Carteret County: Nelson Bay

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:30 A.M., Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/23/2026

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-54-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in Onslow and Carteret Counties: Queens Creek, White Oak River, Deer Creek, and Hunting Island Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:00 a.m., Saturday, September 19, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/19/2026

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-53-2026

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Friday, September 18, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/17/2026

Counties Affected: Brunswick

PA-52-2026

This proclamation returns the following area to normal closure boundaries: Masonboro Sound

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Thursday, September 17, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/16/2026

Counties Affected: New Hanover

PA-51-2026

This proclamation returns the following area to normal closure boundaries: Chadwick Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/15/2026

Counties Affected: Onslow

PA-50-2026

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, September 12, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/11/2026

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Pender, and Carteret

PA-49-2026

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, September 11, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/10/2026

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-48-2026

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, September 10, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/9/2026

Counties Affected: Carteret