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-35-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Ocean Isle Beach and Lockwoods Folly River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, August 15, 2026.

Issued Date: 8/14/2026

Counties Affected: Brunswick

PA-34-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Rose Bay and Otter Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, August 13, 2026.

Issued Date: 8/12/2026

Counties Affected: Hyde

PA-33-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Salliers Bay, Queens Creek, Pungo River, Swanquarter Bay, Juniper Bay, and West Bluff Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, August 8, 2026.

Issued Date: 8/7/2026

Counties Affected: Onslow, Beaufort, and Hyde

PA-32-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Spencer Bay, Germantown Bay, East Bluff Bay, Wysocking Bay, Pamlico Sound, and Long Shoal River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, August 6, 2026.

Issued Date: 8/5/2026

Counties Affected: Hyde and Dare

PA-31-2026

This proclamation closes the following area in Brunswick County: Tubbs Inlet

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closure effective at 8:05 a.m., Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

Issued Date: 8/5/2026

Counties Affected: Brunswick

PA-30-2026

This proclamation closes the following area in Brunswick County: Lockwoods Folly River.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closure effective at 9:15 a.m., Monday, August 3, 2026.

Issued Date: 8/3/2026

Counties Affected: Brunswick

PA-29-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Tubbs Inlet, Lockwoods Folly River, Adams Creek, and South River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, July 31, 2026.

Issued Date: 7/30/2026

Counties Affected: Brunswick, Carteret, and Craven

PA-28-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Myrtle Grove Sound, Middle Sound, Pages Creek, Topsail Sound, Old Topsail Creek, Stump Sound, and Sleepy Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, July 30, 2026.

Issued Date: 7/29/2026

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

PA-27-2026

This proclamation closes the following area in Onslow County: Queens Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 7:15 a.m., Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

Issued Date: 7/29/2026

Counties Affected: Onslow

PA-26-2026

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

Issued Date: 7/28/2026

Counties Affected: Carteret