NC H302

Requires the Division of Marine Fisheries to study North Carolina's shellfish lease and franchise programs, including regulatory obstacles, comparison to other states, and public-private partnership feasibility for oyster hatcheries, with findings due by April 1, 2016.

Establishes civil penalty authority up to $10,000 for violations including illegal shellfish harvesting, damage to cultivation equipment, harvesting from closed areas, and poaching from oyster sanctuaries.

Redesignates the "Senator Jean Preston Marine Shellfish Sanctuary" as the "Senator Jean Preston Oyster Sanctuary Network" and expands its scope to include multiple sanctuaries, harvestable enhancement sites, oyster seed production, cultch planting, economic relief programs, and outreach initiatives.

Requires the Division of Marine Fisheries to create a proposal by May 1, 2016, to open Core Sound areas to shellfish cultivation leasing in consultation with commercial fishing, aquaculture, and federal representatives.

Restores the Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on Seafood and Aquaculture and exempts activities that restore wetlands functions of prior converted cropland from sedimentation pollution control requirements.