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-29-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Friday, April 21, 2023.

Issued Date: 4/20/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick

PA-28-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Thursday, April 20, 2023.

Issued Date: 4/19/2023

Counties Affected: New Hanover

PA-27-2023

This proclamation closes specific leases and franchises in Onslow and Carteret Counties as part of the shellfish relay program.

Effective Date: Shellfish leases or franchises close effective sunrise, Monday, April 17, 2023.

Issued Date: 4/15/2023

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-26-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Wrightsville Beach area, Stump Sound, Chadwick Bay, Sallier's Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, Queens Creek, White Oak River, Newport River and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Saturday, April 15, 2023

Issued Date: 4/14/2023

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, Carteret

PA-25-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Greenville Sound, a portion of Newport River, Core Creek, North River, Ward Creek, Whitehurst Creek, Jarrett Bay, and Oyster Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Friday, April 14, 2023.

Issued Date: 4/13/2023

Counties Affected: New Hanover and Carteret

PA-24-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Bogue Sound between 16th Street and IWW Marker "17", Sleepy Creek, a portion of Jarrett Bay and Brett Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Thursday, April 13, 2023.

Issued Date: 4/12/2023

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-23-2023

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, and Carteret Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, Shallotte River, Lockwoods Folly River, a portion of Myrtle Grove Sound, a portion of Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound, Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, Queens Creek, White Oak River, a portion of Bogue Sound, Newport River, Core Creek, North River, Ward Creek, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish temporary closures effective at 8:05 a.m., Sunday, April 9, 2023

Issued Date: 4/9/2023

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

PA-22-2023

This proclamation closes specific leases and franchises in Onslow County as part of the shellfish relay program.

Effective Date: Shellfish leases or franchises close effective sunrise, Wednesday, April 12, 2023.

Issued Date: 4/6/2023

Counties Affected: Onslow

PA-21-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

Issued Date: 4/4/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick

PA-20-2023

This proclamation closes specific leases and franchises in New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, and Carteret Counties as part of the shellfish relay program.

Effective Date: Shellfish leases or franchises close effective sunrise, Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

Issued Date: 3/31/2023

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