Senate Bill 648 Summary

• Secretary of Environmental Quality may establish Shellfish Aquaculture Enterprise Areas for bottom and water column leasing, with leases remaining nontransferable and reverting to the State upon termination.

• Pamlico Sound pilot project allows up to three shellfish cultivation or water column leases of up to 50 acres each, separated by at least 250 yards, with studies due January 1, 2025 and January 1, 2030 on project continuation.

• Shellfish leases must meet production requirements: bottom leases require 20 bushels per acre over three years or evidence of purchasing 15,000-23,000 seed per acre annually; water column leases require 50 bushels per acre or 23,000 seed per acre annually, or face termination.

• Terminated lease bottoms may be made available for new applications for 18 months, designated as Enterprise Areas, or opened to public use; establishes three-member Shellfish Cultivation Lease Review Committee for appeals of lease decisions.

• Imposes two-year moratorium (until July 1, 2021) on new shellfish leases in New Hanover County and Bogue Sound areas; requires studies on user conflict reduction, penalty consistency, loan programs, and crop insurance by specified deadlines.