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

Send an email to subscribe to the Polluted Area Proclamations list

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-76-2022

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, and Queens Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Saturday, August 27, 2022

Issued Date: 8/26/2022

Counties Affected: Pender and Onslow

PA-75-2022

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Myrtle Grove Sound.

Effective Date: Sunrise, Friday, August 26, 2022

Issued Date: 8/25/22

Counties Affected: New Hanover

PA-74-2022

This proclamation closes the following areas in New Hanover, Pender, and Onslow Counties: A portion of Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound, Pages Creek, a portion of Topsail Sound, Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, and Queens Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective 8:20 A.M., Saturday, August 20, 2022.

Issued Date: 8/20/2022

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Pender, Onslow

PA-73-2022

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick County: All waters between IWW "1" near Southport and the South Carolina State Line, to include the Tubbs Inlet area, Ocean Isle Beach, Shallotte River, Shallotte River Inlet area, Holden Beach, Lockwoods Folly River, and Lockwoods Folly River Inlet area.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective 7:55 A.M., Tuesday, August 16, 2022.

Issued Date: 8/16/2022

Counties Affected: Brunswick

PA-72-2022

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Queens Creek and White Oak River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Thursday, August 4, 2022

Issued Date: 8/03/2022

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-70-2022

This proclamation closes the following area in Pender County: All waters between line from point on mainland near Old Land Road, running southeasterly through Stump Sound near Beacon "65", to point at Surf City, near Craven Avenue and the Surf City Bridge, to include Waters Bay and a portion of Stump Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closure effective 6:15 P.M., Monday, August 1, 2022.

Issued Date: 8/1/2022

Counties Affected: Pender

PA-71-2022

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Middle Sound and a portion of Topsail Sound.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Wednesday, August 3, 2022.

Issued Date: 8/2/2022

Counties Affected: New Hanover and Pender

PA-69-2022

This proclamation closes the following areas in Onslow and Carteret Counties: Queens Creek; all waters from the Intracoastal Waterway to the mainland between IWW "49" near Swansboro, and the Emerald Isle High-rise Bridge, including Intracoastal Waterway and White Oak River.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective 8:20 A.M., Sunday, July 31, 2022.

Issued Date: 7/31/2022

Counties Affected: Onslow, Carteret

PA-68-2022

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Saturday, July 30, 2022.

Issued Date: 7/29/2022

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-67-2022

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Cape Fear River, Bald Head Island, Queens Creek, and White Oak River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective sunrise, Friday, July 29th, 2022

Issued Date: 7/28/2022

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