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-103-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Tubbs Inlet, Shallotte River, Lockwoods Folly River, a portion of North River, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, a portion of Jarrett Bay, and Brett Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Friday, December 15, 2023.

Issued Date: 12/14/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick and Carteret

PA-102-2023

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, Pender, Onslow and Carteret Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Shallotte River, Lockwoods Folly River, Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, Queens Creek, Bouge Inlet Area, White Oak River, Goose Creek, Deer, Creek, Hunting Island Bay, Newport River, North River, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:20 a.m., Monday, December 11, 2023.

Issued Date: 12/11/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick, Pender, Onslow, and Carteret.

PA-101-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Saturday, December 2, 2023.

Issued Date: 12/1/2023

Counties Affected: Onslow

PA-100-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, Lockwoods Folly River, Sallier Bay, Freeman Creek, Queens Creek, White Oak River, Newport River, and Core Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, December 1, 2023.

Issued Date: 11/30/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick, Onslow and Carteret

PA-99-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, November 30, 2023.

Issued Date: 12/29/2023

Counties Affected: Pender and Onslow

PA-98-2023

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, Pender, Onslow, and Carteret Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, Lockwoods Folly River, Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, Queens Creek, White Oak River, a portion of Newport River, and Core Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:05 a.m., Thursday, November 23, 2023.

Issued Date: 11/23/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick, Pender, Onslow, and Carteret

PA-PC-2-2023

This proclamation closes approximately 7 acres around three marinas in the B-7 Growing Area of New Hanover County, 9 acres around five marinas in the C-1 Growing Area of Onslow County, and 27 acres in Pamlico Sound in the H-4 Growing Area of Dare County. This proclamation also opens approximately 45 acres near Howe Creek in the B-7 Growing Area of New Hanover County, 7 acres around two marinas in the C-1 Growing Area of Onslow County, 82 acres around Pettiford, Boathouse, and Dubling Creeks in the D-3 Growing Area of Carteret County, 103 acres around Broad Creek in the E-1 Growing Area of Carteret County, and 85 acres around Ware and Wading Creeks in the E-4 Growing Area of Carteret County.

To see a map highlighting what is changing as a result of this proclamation, click here.

Effective Date: Effective at sunrise, Tuesday, October 24, 2023, this proclamation supersedes PA-PC-2023 and brings together in one document all areas which are permanently closed to shellfish harvesting.

Issued Date: 10/23/2023

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

PA-97-2023

This proclamation returns the following area to normal closure boundaries: Queens Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Friday, October 13, 2023.

Issued Date: 10/12/2023

Counties Affected: Onslow

PA-96-2023

This proclamation returns the following area to normal closure boundaries: Wade Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Saturday, October 7, 2023.

Issued Date: 10/6/2023

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-95-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Friday, October 6, 2023.

Issued Date: 10/05/2023

Counties Affected: Pamlico