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.

View Embed
Proclamations

Proclamations

PA-66-2024

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Myrtle Grove Sound, Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound, Pages Creek, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, White Oak River, a portion of Bogue Sound, Deer Creek, Hunting Island Bay, Goose Creek, Sanders Creek, Broad Creek, a portion of Newport River, Core Creek, and a portion of North River.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, August 1, 2024.

Issued Date: 7/31/2024

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Onslow, and Carteret

PA-65-2024

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, July 31, 2024.

Issued Date: 7/30/2024

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-64-2024

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick, New Hanover, Onslow, and Carteret Counties: Tubbs Inlet, Ocean Isle Beach, Lockwoods Folly Inlet, Myrtle Grove Sound, Masonboro Sound, Middle Sound, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, White Oak River, Deer Creek, Hunting Island Bay, Goose Creek, Sanders Creek, Broad Creek, Gales Creek, a portion of Bogue Sound, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Brett Bay, and Nelson Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish temporary closures effective at 8:20 a.m., Saturday, July 27, 2024.

Issued Date: 7/27/2024

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

PA-63-2024

This proclamation closes the following areas in Brunswick and Carteret Counties: Lockwoods Folly River, Newport River, Core Creek, North River, Ward Creek, and Oyster Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish temporary closures effective at 8:00 a.m., Friday, July 26, 2024.

Issued Date: 7/26/2024

Counties Affected: Brunswick and Carteret

PA-62-2024

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, July 26, 2024.

Issued Date: 7/25/2024

Counties Affected: New Hanover and Carteret

PA-61-2024

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, July 25, 2024. 

Issued Date: 7/24/2024

Counties Affected: Brunswick and Carteret

PA-60-2024

This proclamation closes the following areas in New Hanover County: All those waters between Snows Cut and the Wrightsville Beach Bridge, to include Myrtle Grove Sound, Masonboro Sound, and Greenville Sound. 

Effective Date: Shellfish temporary closures effective at 7:40 a.m., Saturday, July 20, 2024.

Issued Date: 7/20/2024

Counties Affected: New Hanover

PA-59-2024

This proclamation closes the following areas in Carteret County: A portion of Newport River, Core Creek, Oyster Creek and Brett Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish temporary closures effective at 8:15 a.m., Friday, July 19, 2024.

Issued Date: 7/19/2024

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-58-2024

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Queens Creek and Newport River

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, July 18, 2024.

Issued Date: 7/17/2024

Counties Affected: Onslow and Carteret

PA-57-2024

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

Effective Date: Shellfish temporary closures effective at 7:30 a.m., Sunday, July 14, 2024.

Issued Date: 7/14/2024

Counties Affected: Onslow