2009 North Carolina Code
Chapter 120 - General Assembly.
§ 120-70.62. Powers and duties.

§ 120‑70.62.  Powers and duties.

The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(1)        To monitor and study the current seafood industry in North Carolina including studies of the feasibility of increasing the State's production, processing, and marketing of seafood;

(2)        To study the potential for increasing the role of aquaculture in all regions of the State;

(3)        To evaluate the feasibility of creating a central permitting office for fishing and aquaculture matters;

(4)        To evaluate actions of the Division of Marine Fisheries of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Wildlife Resources Commission of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and of any other board, commission, department, or agency of the State or local government as such actions relate to the seafood and aquaculture industries;

(5)        To make recommendations regarding regulatory matters relating to the seafood and aquaculture industries including, but not limited to:

a.         Increasing the State's representation and decision‑making ability by dividing the State between the Atlantic and South Atlantic regions of the National Division of Marine Fisheries; and

b.         Evaluating the necessity to substantially increase penalties for trespass and theft of shellfish and other aquaculture products;

(6)        To review and evaluate changes in federal law and regulations, relevant court decisions, and changes in technology affecting the seafood and aquaculture industries;

(7)        To review existing and proposed State law and rules affecting the seafood and aquaculture industries and to determine whether any modification of law or rules is in the public interest;

(8)        To make reports and recommendations, including draft legislation, to the General Assembly from time to time as to any matter relating to the powers and duties set out in this section; and

(9)        To undertake such additional studies as it deems appropriate or as may from time to time be requested by the President of the Senate, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, either house of the General Assembly, the Legislative Research Commission, or the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, and to make such reports and recommendations to the General Assembly regarding such studies as it deems appropriate. (1989, c. 802, s. 12.1; 1997‑443, s. 11A.119(a); 2005‑386, s. 1.8.)