North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries

North Carolina's Oyster Sanctuary Program

Current Sanctuaries
1. Croatan Sound
Established in 1996, this sanctuary is comprised 1,800 tons of rip rap, oyster shells surf clam shells and limestone marl. Partners include the Division of Marine Fisheries and NOAA Fisheries.

2. Crab Hole
Established in 2003, this sanctuary is comprised 16,173 tons of rip rap. Partners include the Division of Marine Fisheries, Division of Coastal Management, N.C. Department of Transportation, and the Nature Conservancy.

3. Gibbs Shoal
This is a new fishing reef/sanctuary for 2009, construction will begin July 2009.  This sanctuary is located near Engelhard and is 30 acres and will consist of 240 mounds when completed by 2014.  Funding for this sanctuary was provided through  the new fishing license sales.

4. Deep Bay
Established in 1996, this sanctuary is comprised 1,300 tons of rip rap, oyster shells surf clam shells and limestone marl. Partners include the Division of Marine Fisheries and NOAA Fisheries.

5. West Bluff
This sanctuary is located south of Bluff Point and east of Great Island between Swan Quarter Bay and Wysocking Bay.  It consists of approximately 56 - 150 ton mounds and is marked with four similar white can buoys.

6. Clam Shoal
Established in 1996, this sanctuary is comprised 4,100 tons of rip rap. Partners include the Division of Marine Fisheries, NOAA Fisheries and the Nature Conservancy. An additional 2,300 tons of rip rap will be added to this site in 2005.

7. Middle Bay
Established in 2004, this sanctuary is comprised 2,050 tons of rip rap and limestone marl. Partners include the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Division of Marine Fisheries.

8. Ocracoke
Established in 2004, this sanctuary is comprised 9,462 tons of rip rap. Partners include the Division of Marine Fisheries, NOAA Fisheries and the Nature Conservancy.

9. Neuse River
This sanctuary is located on the south shore between South River and Turnagain Bay, just east of Brown's Creek and currently has 50 - 150 ton mounds. 

10. West Bay
Established in 1996, this sanctuary is comprised 2,000 tons of rip rap, oyster shells, surf clam shells and limestone marl. Partners include the Division of Marine Fisheries and NOAA Fisheries.

Site
Latitude
Longitude
Acres
Developed Acres
Total tons
(Class B Rip-rap)
1
Croatan Sound
35°48.2400' N
75°38.4000' W
7.7
3.9
1,800
2
Crab Hole
35°43.5950' N
75°40.6300' W
30.5
13.7
16,173
3
Gibbs Shoal
35°27.2650' N
75°55.9580' W
30.0
0.0
0
4
Deep Bay
35°22.8420' N
76°22.2490' W
17.2
5.0
1,300
5
West Bluff
35°18.2230' N
76°10.1830' W
19.9
7.1
8,136
6
Clam Shoal
35°17.3300' N
75°37.3000' W
47.7
3.4
4,100
7
Middle Bay
35°14.1370' N
76°30.2550' W
4.6
0.4
2,050
8
Ocracoke
35°10.7240' N
75°59.7430' W
28.0
7.3
9,462
9
Neuse River
35°00.4330' N
76°32.0050' W
5.7
5.3
7,359
10
West Bay
34°58.8090' N
76°21.4180' W
6.7
2.0
2,000
Last updated 03/2009
Total
198.0
48.1
52,380

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