S648 - Support Shellfish Aquaculture. (SL 2019-37)

Overview: S.L. 2019-37 makes the following changes to State laws governing shellfish aquaculture:

• Authorizes the establishment of Shellfish Aquaculture Enterprise Areas.
• Establishes the Pamlico Sound Shellfish Aquaculture Pilot Project.
• Increases the production and planting requirements for shellfish leases.
• Facilitates the transition of terminated leases to productive uses.
• Allows transplanting of seed oysters and seed clams from permitted aquaculture operation nursery facilities in prohibited waters.
• Establishes a new administrative process for certain appeals of shellfish lease decisions.
• Establishes temporary moratoria on shellfish leasing in the New Hanover County Area and in Bogue Sound.
• Establishes various studies related to shellfish aquaculture.

This act became effective July 1, 2019.