PA-92-2015

PROCLAMATION

RE: SHELLFISH POLLUTED AREA

Dr. Louis B. Daniel III, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries, upon the recommendation of Robin Cummings, M.D., Acting State Health Director, Department of Health and Human Services, hereby announces that the following shellfish area temporary closure 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 COUNTY

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

The following also remains closed:

BRUNSWICK / PENDER / ONSLOW / CARTERET COUNTIES

All those waters between IWW marker "89" and the South Carolina State Line, to include the Tubbs Inlet area.

Lockwoods Folly River - All those waters north of a line beginning on the west shore at a point 33°55.7954’N - 78°13.3096’ W approximately midway between Genoes Point and Spring Creek; running southeasterly to a point 33°55.2284’N - 78°12.7791’ W near the northwest point of Horse Island, to include the open portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway north of Horse Island.

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 New River Inlet),and bordered on the southwest by a line beginning at a point on the southern tip of Topsail Beach; running northwesterly following the eastern shore of Black Mud Channel to the IWW; running northerly across the IWW near Beacon “98A” to a point on the mainland at Forest Sound Marina, to include a portion of Topsail Sound, Virginia Creek, Stump Sound, Everett Bay, Alligator Bay, Chadwick Bay, and all other creeks and tributaries within said boundaries.

All those waters between the Emerald Isle High-Rise Bridge, and IWW Fl. Beacon “#65A”, located just west of Salliers Bay near New River Inlet, to include Salliers Bay, Freeman Creek, Bear Creek, Queens Creek, White Oak River and all other creeks and tributaries within said boundaries.

Newport River – All those waters in Newport River north and east of a line beginning on the southwest tip of Core Creek; running easterly to IWW Beacon “24”; running southeasterly following the Intracoastal Waterway to IWW Beacon “28”; running southwesterly following the Intracoastal Waterway to IWW Beacon “34”; running southwesterly following the Intracoastal Waterway to IWW Beacon “38”; running southerly following the Intracoastal Waterway to the Morehead High Rise Bridge; to include Core Creek, the eastern part of Newport River, and the Causeway Bays.

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.

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. This temporary closure is due to heavy rainfall and resultant runoff.