PA-6-2016

PROCLAMATION

RE: SHELLFISH POLLUTED AREA¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿¿

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, upon the recommendation of Megan Davies, M.D., Acting State Health Director, Department of Health and Human Services, hereby announces that the following shellfish area temporary¿closures¿will¿take effect immediately:

No person shall take or attempt to take any oysters, clams or mussels or possess, sell or offer for sale any oysters, clams or mussels taken from the following polluted areas:

BRUNSWICK / PENDER / ONSLOW / CARTERET COUNTIES

All those waters between IWW Marker “84" near Ocean Isle and the South Carolina State Line, to include the Tubbs Inlet area.

Shallotte River - All those waters in Shallotte River upstream of a straight line from Bowen Point to Long Point.

All those waters between Southport and IWW Channel Marker #51A, near the Holden Beach Bridge, to include all of Lockwoods Folly River and the Lockwoods Folly River Inlet area.

All those waters bordered on the northeast by a straight line from Swan Point through IWW Channel Marker #4 to the eastern tip of West Onslow Beach, (south shore of the New River Inlet), and bordered on the southwest by the Surf City Bridge.

All those waters from the Intracoastal Waterway to the mainland between the Morehead City permanent closure line near 16th Street and Intracoastal Waterway Channel Marker #65A, located just west of Salliers Bay near New River Inlet and to include Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, Queens Creek, White Oak River, and all other creeks and tributaries within said boundaries.

North River - All those waters in North River upstream of a straight line beginning at a point at the permanent closure line near Channel Marker #56B to the mainland side of the Harker’s Island Bridge at The Straits.

Whitehurst Creek - All those waters in Whitehurst Creek upstream of a straight line across the mouth.

Sleepy Creek - All those waters in Sleepy Creek upstream of a straight line across the mouth.

Jarrett Bay - All those waters upstream of a line beginning at a point on the east shore of Spit Bay; thence in a straight line to the southern end of Davis Island; thence in a straight line thru Flashing Beacon #36; thence in a straight line to the southeast end of Bells Island; thence in a straight line to a point on the Marshallberg shoreline.

Oyster Creek - All those waters in Oyster Creek upstream of a straight line across the mouth.

Brett Bay – All those waters in Brett Bay upstream of a straight line from Piney Point to King Point.

Nelson Bay - All those waters in Nelson Bay upstream of a line from Drum Point to the northern tip of Fulchers Creek.

The following also remains closed:

Newport River - All those waters in Newport River upstream of the Highway 70 High Rise Bridge and Morehead-Beaufort Causeway, to include all tributaries and Core Creek.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

A. This proclamation is issued under the authority of N.C.G.S. 113-170.4; 113-170.5; 113-182; 113-221.1; 143B-289.52 and N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rules 15A NCAC 03H .0103 and 03K .0101.

B. It is unlawful to violate the provisions of any proclamation issued by the N.C. Fisheries Director under his delegated authority pursuant to N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Rule 15A NCAC 03H .0103.

C. These temporary closures are due to rainfall and resultant runoff.