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.

 

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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-67-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Tubbs Inlet, Shallotte River, Lockwoods Folly River, Lockwoods Folly Inlet, Core Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Brett Bay, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Issued Date: 10/16/2026

Counties Affected: Brunswick and Carteret

PA-66-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Myrtle Grove Sound, Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, Pamlico River, and Gale Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Friday, October 16, 2026.

Issued Date: 10/15/2026

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, and Pamlico

PA-65-2026

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Issued Date: 10/14/2026

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-64-2026

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

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closure effective at 7:45 a.m., Monday, October 12th, 2026.

Issued Date: 10/12/2026

Counties Affected: Onslow

PA-63-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, and Carteret Counties: A portion of Myrtle Grove Sound, Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, Core Creek, North River, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, and Brett Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:00 a.m., Sunday, October 11th, 2026.

Issued Date: 10/11/2026

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

PA-62-2026

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Bay River and Jones Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Saturday, October 10, 2026.

Issued Date: 10/9/2026

Counties Affected: Pamlico

PA-61-2026

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Friday, October 9, 2026.

Issued Date: 10/8/2026

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Pender, and Carteret

PA-60-2026

This proclamation returns the following area to normal closure boundaries: South River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Thursday, October 8, 2026.

Issued Date: 10/7/2026

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-59-2026

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Carteret, and Pamlico Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Shallotte River, Shallotte Inlet, Lockwoods Folly River, Lockwoods Folly Inlet, a portion of Myrtle Grove Sound, a portion of Topsail Sound, Oyster Creek, Nelson Bay, South River, Bay River, and Jones Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 7:55 a.m., Sunday, October 4, 2026.

Issued Date: 10/4/2026

Counties Affected: Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Carteret, and Pamlico

PA-58-2026

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

Issued Date: 9/29/2026

Counties Affected: Carteret

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