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-16-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Middle Sound, Pages Creek, Topsail Sound, Old Topsail Creek, Virginia Creek, Beckys Creek, Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, New River, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Browns Inlet, Bear Creek, Bear Inlet, Bogue Inlet, White Oak River, Newport River, Core Creek, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

Issued Date: 5/20/2025

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

PA-15-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Bogue Sound, Deer Creek, Hunting Island Bay, Goose Creek, North River, Ward Creek, Whitehurst Creek, and Sleepy Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, May 17, 2025.

Issued Date: 5/16/2025

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-14-2025

This proclamation closes the followings areas in Carteret County: Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 7:50 a.m., Wednesday, May 14, 2025.

Issued Date: 5/14/2025

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-12-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in New Hanover, Pender, Onslow and Carteret Counties: Myrtle Grove Sound, Masonboro Sound, Topsail Sound, Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, New River, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, Queens Creek, White Oak River, a portion of Bogue Sound, a portion of Newport River and Core Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:15 a.m., Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Issued Date: 5/13/2025

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Pender, Onslow and Carteret

PA-13-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in Carteret County: Newport River, North River, Ward Creek, Whitehurst Creek and Sleepy Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 9:45 a.m., Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Issued Date: 5/13/2025

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-11-2025

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick and Onslow Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, Lockwoods Folly River, Salliers Bay, and Freeman Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:15 a.m., Monday, May 12, 2025.

Issued Date: 5/12/2025

Counties Affected: Brunswick and Onslow

PA-10-2025

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, May 2, 2025.

Issued Date: 5/1/2025

Counties Affected: Onslow

PA-9-2025

This Proclamation closes the following area in Onslow County:  All those waters in New River upstream of the Highway 172 Bridge. 

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective 8:30 A.M., Thursday, April 24, 2025.

Issued Date: 04/24/2025

Counties Affected: Onslow

PA-8-2025

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, March 27, 2025.

Issued Date: 3/26/2025

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-7-2025

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Newport River, and North River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, March 26, 2025.

Issued Date: 3/25/2025

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret