52:28-38. Joint commission to draft laws relative to fishing and ascertain dividing line

Article IV. Immediately upon the execution hereof the legislature of the state of New Jersey shall appoint three commissioners to confer with three commissioners to be immediately appointed by the general assembly of the state of Delaware for the purpose of drafting uniform laws to regulate the catching and taking of fish in the Delaware river and bay between said two states, which said commissioners for each state respectively shall, within two years from the date of their appointment, report to the legislature of each of said states the proposed laws so framed and recommended by said joint commission. Upon the adoption and passage of said laws so recommended by the respective legislatures of said two states, said laws shall constitute the sole laws for the regulation of the taking and catching of fish in the said river and bay between said states. Said laws shall remain in force until altered, amended or repealed by concurrent legislation of the said two states. Said commissioners shall also ascertain the dividing line between said river and bay, and upon each of the shores of said two states, where said dividing line extended shall intersect the same, shall, at the joint expense of said states, erect a suitable monument to mark the said dividing line. Said dividing line between said monuments shall be the division line between the said river and bay for the interpretation of and for all purposes of this compact, and of the concurrent legislation provided for therein.

The faith of the said contracting states is hereby pledged to the enactment of said laws so recommended by said commissioners, or to such concurrent legislation as may seem judicious and proper in the premises to the respective legislatures thereof.

Each state shall have and exercise exclusive jurisdiction within said river to arrest, try and punish its own inhabitants for violations of the concurrent legislation relating to fishery herein provided for.

L.1905, c. 42, Art. IV, p. 70 (C.S. p. 5376, s. 52).