Coastal waters have been temporarily closed to shellfishing.
Upon recommendation of the state health director, the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries has temporarily closed all coastal waters to shellfish harvesting effective immediately, due to potential impacts of flood waters on these areas.
The division will begin testing shellfish waters Tuesday and reopen areas as tests show safe bacteria levels. Excessive rainfall, coastal flooding and sanitary sewer overflows may have contaminated these waters.
