NC H983

Designates red drum, spotted sea trout, and striped bass as coastal game fish, restricting harvest to hook-and-line only and prohibiting commercial sale, with limited exceptions for aquaculture, imports, and restaurants.

Establishes mitigation payments up to $1,000,000 total to commercial fishermen for income losses from coastal game fish designations, based on average annual sales 2010-2012 and 2012 gear values, distributed over 2014-2016.

Increases coastal recreational fishing license fees: annual resident from $15 to $20, annual nonresident from $30 to $40, ten-day resident from $5 to $10, and ten-day nonresident from $10 to $20.

Appropriates $1,300,000 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2013-2014 to the Division of Marine Fisheries for administration and implementation of the Marine Fisheries Observer Program.

Establishes the Shallow Draft Navigation Channel Dredging Fund receiving one-half of one percent of motor fuel excise tax allocated to Highway Fund, limited to state projects with matching non-state funding on a one-to-one basis.