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

Proclamations

PA-89-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Straits, a portion of Jarrett Bay, Core Sound, Thorofare Bay, Barry Bay, Rumley Bay, Lewis Creek, and Cedar Island Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, September 27,2023.

Issued Date: 9/26/2023

Counties Affected: Carteret

PA-88-2023

This proclamation the following areas in Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico Counties:  Lockwoods Folly River, Middle Sound, a portion of Topsail Sound, Old Topsail Creek, Virginia Creek, Beckys Creek, Stump Sound, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, New River, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, White Oak River, Bogue Sound, Newport River, North River, Ward Creek, Straits, Whitehurst Creek, Sleepy Creek, Jarrett Bay, Oyster Creek, Brett Bay, Nelson Bay, a portion of Core Sound, Thorofare Bay, Rumley Bay, Lewis Creek, Cedar Island Bay, West Bay, Long Bay, Turnagain Bay, South River, Adams Creek, Neuse River, Bay River, and Jones Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closures effective at 8:30 A.M., Saturday, September 23, 2023.

Issued Date: 9/23/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender, Onslow, Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico.

PA-87-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopening effective at sunrise, Thursday, September 21, 2023.

Issued Date: 9/20/2023

Counties Affected: Onslow

PA-86-2023

This proclamation closes the following area in Onslow County due to impacts from a sewage spill: Queens Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish Temporary Closure effective at 8:10 A.M., Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

Issued Date: 9/20/2023

Counties Affected: Onslow

PA-85-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Juniper Bay and West Bluff Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

Issued Date: 9/19/2023

Counties Affected: Hyde

PA-84-2023

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

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Saturday, September 16, 2023.

Issued Date: 9/15/2023

Counties Affected: Pender and Onslow

PA-83-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Myrtle Grove Sound, Masonboro Sound, Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Queens Creek, Ocracoke, and Hatteras.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Friday, September 15, 2023.

Issued Date: 9/14/2023

Counties Affected: New Hanover, Onslow, Hyde and Dare

PA-82-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Shallotte River, Neuse River, Adams Creek, South River, Turnagain Bay, West Bay, and Long Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Thursday, September 14, 2023.

Issued Date: 9/13/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick, Carteret and Craven

PA-81-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: Cape Fear River, Bald Head Island, Newport River, Bay River, and Jones Bay.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

Issued Date: 9/12/2023

Counties Affected: Brunswick, New Hanover and Carteret

PA-80-2023

This proclamation returns the following areas to normal closure boundaries: A portion of Neuse River around Oriental and Broad Creek.

Effective Date: Shellfish reopenings effective at sunrise, Monday, September 11, 2023.

Issued Date: 9/10/2023

Counties Affected: Pamlico