Subject to voter approval at the general election in November 2016, enacts new GS 113-192 to provide limitations on marine net fishing in coastal fishing waters to protect saltwater finfish, shellfish, and other marine animals from unnecessary killing, overfishing, and waste. Provides a policy statement that the marine resources of the state belong to all of the people of the state and are to be conserved and managed for the benefit of the state, its people, and future generations.

Makes it unlawful to use either a gill net or other entangling net in coastal fishing waters for the purpose of catching or taking any saltwater finfish, shellfish, or other marine animals. Defines a grill net as one or more walls of netting which capture saltwater finfish by ensnaring or entangling them in the meshes of the net by the gills, but does not include a hand-thrown cast net. Defines an entangling net as a drift net, trammell net, stab net, or any other net which captures saltwater finfish, shellfish, or other marine animals by causing all or part of heads, fins, legs, or other body parts to become entangled or ensnared in the meshes of the net, but does not include a hand-thrown cast net. Prohibits any other type of net containing more than 500 square feet of mesh area, as defined by the statute, from being used in coastal fishing waters. Establishes that no more than two nets which cannot be connected can be used from any vessel, and no person not on a vessel can use more than one net in coastal fishing waters.

Appropriates $250,000 from the General Fund to the State Board of Elections to pay for the expenses related to the referendum required under the act. Effective July 1, 2016.