State fisheries and health officials enact emergency temporary closures across coastal Brunswick County following heavy rainfall and stormwater runoff
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Proclamation Authority: The proclamation was issued by Kathy B. Rawls, Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries, upon the recommendation of Dr. Lawrence Greenblatt, State Health Director with the Department of Health and Human Services. The restrictions took effect at 7:55 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026. These temporary closures were enacted due to heavy rainfall and resultant runoff.
Impact on Brunswick County – State health and fisheries officials implemented immediate harvesting prohibitions across designated local waters following recent heavy rainfall and subsequent runoff.
The temporary closure applies to oysters, clams, and mussels, making it unlawful to take, attempt to take, possess, sell, or offer them for sale from the affected zones.
The proclamation impacts specific areas within Brunswick County:
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Tubbs Inlet & Southern Waters: All waters situated between the permanent closure line near Intracoastal Waterway (IWW) Marker “89” in Ocean Isle and the South Carolina State Line, including the entire Tubbs Inlet area.
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Lockwoods Folly River: All waters north of a designated line running from the south shore of Spring Creek near its mouth, easterly to the northern tip of Sheep Island, and southeasterly to the northwest point of Horse Island.
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Intracoastal Waterway: The closure also encompasses the adjacent portion of the Intracoastal Waterway situated north of Horse and Sheep Islands.
The closures are authorized under N.C. General Statutes 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. Officials emphasize that individuals affected by these management measures are under a statutory duty to keep themselves informed of current proclamations.
Additional temporary and permanent closures remain in effect across multiple other coastal counties throughout the region.
PA-25-2026 SHELLFISH POLLUTED AREA
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