N.C. Gen. Stat. § 113-218: (Effective December 1, 2026) Protection of private marine aquaculture rights.

(a) Offense. - It is unlawful for any person, other than the holder of a lease issued under this Article, to take or attempt to take marine species being produced under the license and associated lease from any privately leased, franchised, or deeded marine aquaculture operation without written authorization of the holder and with actual knowledge it is a marine aquaculture leased area. The written authorization shall include the lease number or deed reference, name and address of authorized person, date of issuance, and date of expiration, and it must be signed by the holder of the marine aquaculture rights. Actual knowledge will be presumed when the marine species are taken or attempted to be taken under either of the following circumstances:

(1) From within the confines of posted boundaries of the area as identified by signs, whether the whole or any part of the area is posted. Identification signs shall include the lease number or deed reference and the name of the holder.

(2) When the area has been regularly posted and identified and the person knew the area to be the subject of private marine aquaculture rights.

(b) Penalty. - A violation of this section shall be punishable as follows:

(1) For a first offense, the person is guilty of a Class H felony, punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) in addition to any other punishment prescribed for the offense.

(2) For a second or subsequent offense, the person is guilty of a Class G felony, punishable by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500.00) in addition to any other punishment prescribed for the offense. (2017-190, s. 1; 2026-11, s. 16(b).)