Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 56 Part 1.djvu/295

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77TH CONG. , 2D SESS.-CH. 283-MAY 4, 1942 [CHAPTER 283] AN ACT Granting the consent and approval of Congress to an interstate compact relating to the better utilization of the fisheries (marine, shell, and anadromous) of the Atlantic seaboard and creating the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commis- sion. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the consent and approval of Congress is hereby given to an interstate compact (which shall be operative for not more than fifteen years from the date of the enactment of this Act) relating to the better utilization of the fisheries (marine, shell, and anadromous) of the Atlantic seaboard and creating the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commis- sion, negotiated and entered into or to be entered into under the authority of Public Resolution Numbered 79, Seventy-sixth Congress, approved June 8, 1940, and now ratified by the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, which compact reads as follows: "The contracting states solemnly agree: "ARTICLE I "The purpose of this compact is to promote the better utilization of the fisheries, marine, shell and anadromous of the Atlantic sea- board by the development of a joint program for the promotion and protection of such fisheries, and by the prevention of the physical waste of the fisheries from any cause. It is not the purpose of this compact to authorize the states joining herein to limit the produc- tion of fish or fish products for the purpose of establishing or fixing the price thereof, or creating and perpetuating monopoly. "ARTICLE II "This agreement shall become operative immediately as to those states executing it whenever any two or more of the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida have executed it in the form that is in accordance with the laws of the executing state and the Congress has given its consent. Any state contiguous with any of the aforemlentioned states and riparian upon waters frequented by anadromous fish, flowing into waters under the jurisdiction of any of the aforementioned states, may become a party hereto as hereinafter provided. "ARTICLE III "Each state joining herein shall appoint three representatives to a Commission hereby constituted and designated as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. One shall be the executive officer of the administrative agency of such state charged with the conservation of the fisheries resources to which this compact pertains or, if there be more than one officer or agency, the official of that state named by the governor thereof. The second shall be a member of the legislature of such state designated by the Commission or Committee on Interstate Cooperation of such state, or if there be none, or if said Commission on Interstate Cooperation cannot consti- tutionally designate the said member, such legislator shall be desig- nated by the governor thereof; provided, that if it is constitutionally impossible to appoint a legislator as a commissioner from such state, the second member shall be appointed by the governor of said state in his discretion. The third shall be a citizen who shall have a knowl- May 4, 1942 [H. R. 6020] [Public Law 539] Interstate fisheries compact, Atlantic sea- board. Atlantic States Ma- rine Fisheries Com- mission. 54 Stat. 261. 16U.S.C.I667a. Purpose of eompact. Operation of agree ment. States eligible to become parties. State representation on Commission. 56 STAT.] 267