{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/28.2-1000.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/28.2-1000.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/28.2-1000.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/28.2-1000.html"}],"law_id":356431,"edition_id":2,"section_id":356431,"structure_id":51000,"section_number":"28.2-1000","catch_line":"Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Compact","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 28-254, 28-255; 1962, c. 406, \u00a7 28.1-202; 1992, c. 836.","full_text":"ARTICLE I\n\nThe purpose of this compact is to promote the better utilization of the fisheries, marine, shell and anadromous of the Atlantic seaboard 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 production of fish or fish products for the purpose of establishing or fixing the price thereof, or creating and perpetuating monopoly.\n\nARTICLE II\n\nThis 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 aforementioned 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.\n\nARTICLE III\n\nEach 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 constitutionally designate the said member: such legislator shall be designated 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 knowledge of and interest in the marine fisheries problem, to be appointed by the governor. The Commission shall be a body corporate with the powers and duties set forth herein.\n\nARTICLE IV\n\nThe duty of the said Commission shall be to make inquiry and ascertain from time to time such methods, practices, circumstances and conditions as may be disclosed for bringing about the consideration of the prevention of the depletion and physical waste of the fisheries, marine, shell and anadromous, of the Atlantic seaboard. The Commission shall have power to recommend the coordination of the exercise of the police powers of the several states within their respective jurisdictions to promote the preservation of those fisheries and their protection against overfishing, waste, depletion or any abuse whatsoever and to assure a continuing yield from the fisheries resources of the aforementioned states.\n\nTo that end the Commission shall draft and, after consultation with the Advisory Committee hereinafter authorized, recommend to the governors and legislatures of the various signatory states legislation dealing with the conservation of the marine, shell and anadromous fisheries of the Atlantic seaboard. The Commission shall, more than one month prior to any regular meeting of the legislature in any signatory state, present to the governor of the state its recommendations relating to enactments to be made by the legislature of that state in furthering the intents and purposes of this compact.\n\nThe Commission shall consult with and advise the pertinent administrative agencies in the states party hereto with regard to problems connected with the fisheries and recommend the adoption of such regulations as it deems advisable.\n\nThe Commission shall have power to recommend to the states party hereto the stocking of the waters of such states with fish and fish eggs, or joint stocking by some or all of the states party hereto, and when two or more of the states shall jointly stock waters the Commission shall act as the coordinating agency for such stocking.\n\nARTICLE V\n\nThe Commission shall elect from its number a chairman and a vice-chairman and shall appoint and at its pleasure remove or discharge such officers and employees as may be required to carry the provision of this compact into effect, and shall fix and determine their duties, qualifications and compensation. Said Commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its business. It may establish and maintain one or more offices for the transaction of its business and may meet at any time or place but must meet at least once a year.\n\nARTICLE VI\n\nNo action shall be taken by the Commission in regard to its general affairs except by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole number of compacting states present at any meeting. No recommendation shall be made by the Commission in regard to any species of fish except by the affirmative vote of a majority of the compacting states which have an interest in such species. The Commission shall define what shall be an interest.\n\nARTICLE VII\n\nThe Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior of the Government of the United States shall act as the primary research agency of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, cooperating with the research agencies in each state for that purpose. Representatives of the said Fish and Wildlife Service shall attend the meetings of the Commission.\n\nAn Advisory Committee to be representative of the commercial fishermen and the salt water anglers and such other interest of each state as the Commission deems advisable shall be established by the Commission as soon as practicable for the purpose of advising the Commission upon such recommendations as it may desire to make.\n\nARTICLE VIII\n\nWhen any state other than those named specifically in Article II of this compact shall become a party thereto for the purpose of conserving its anadromous fish in accordance with the provisions of Article II the participation of such state in the action of the Commission shall be limited to such species of anadromous fish.\n\nARTICLE IX\n\nNothing in this compact shall be construed to limit the powers of any signatory state or to repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation or the enforcement of any requirement by any signatory state imposing additional conditions and restrictions to conserve its fisheries.\n\nARTICLE X\n\nContinued absence of representation or of any representative on the Commission from any state party hereto shall be brought to the attention of the governor thereof.\n\nARTICLE XI\n\nThe states party hereto agree to make annual appropriations to the support of the Commission in proportion to the primary market value of the products of their fisheries, exclusive of cod and haddock, as recorded in the most recent published reports of the Fish and Wildlife Service of the United States Department of the Interior, provided no state shall contribute less than two hundred dollars per annum and the annual contribution of each state above the minimum shall be figured to the nearest one hundred dollars.\n\nThe compacting states agree to appropriate initially the annual amounts scheduled below, which amounts are calculated in the manner set forth herein, on the basis of the catch record of 1938. Subsequent budgets shall be recommended by a majority of the Commission and the cost thereof allocated equitably among the states in accordance with their respective interests and submitted to the compacting states.\n\nSCHEDULE OF INITIAL STATE CONTRIBUTIONS\n\nARTICLE XII\n\nSection 1. This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each compacting state until renounced by it. Renunciation of this compact must be preceded by sending six months’ notice in writing of intention to withdraw from the compact to the other states party hereto.\n\nSection 2. Without further submission of said compact, the consent and approval of Congress is hereby given to the states of Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and for the purpose of the better utilization of their anadromous fisheries, to the states of Vermont and Pennsylvania, to enter into said compact as signatory states and as parties thereto, in addition to the states which have now ratified the compact.\n\nSection 3. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission constituted by the compact shall make an annual report to Congress not later than sixty days after the beginning of each regular session thereof. Such report shall set forth the activities of the Commission during the calendar year ending immediately prior to the beginning of such session.\n\nSection 4. The right to alter, amend, or repeal the provision sections 1, 2 and 3 is hereby expressly reserved, provided that nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit or add to the powers of the proprietary interest of any signatory state or to repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation or the enforcement of any requirement by a signatory state imposing additional conditions and restrictions to conserve its fisheries.\n\nAMENDMENT NUMBER 1\n\nThe states consenting to this amendment agree that any two or more of them may designate the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission as joint regulatory agency with such powers as they may jointly confer from time to time for the regulation of the fishing operations of the citizens and vessels of such designating states with respect to specific fisheries in which such states have a common interest. The representatives of such states on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission shall constitute a separate section of such Commission for the exercise of the additional powers so granted provided that the states so acting shall appropriate additional funds for this purpose. The creation of such section as a joint regulatory agency shall not deprive the states participating therein of any of their privileges or powers or responsibilities in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission under the general compact.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1326944,"text":"ARTICLE I","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":""},"1":{"id":1326945,"text":"The purpose of this compact is to promote the better utilization of the fisheries, marine, shell and anadromous of the Atlantic seaboard 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 production of fish or fish products for the purpose of establishing or fixing the price thereof, or creating and perpetuating monopoly.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"2":{"id":1326946,"text":"ARTICLE II","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"3":{"id":1326947,"text":"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 aforementioned 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.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"4":{"id":1326948,"text":"ARTICLE III","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"5":{"id":1326949,"text":"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 constitutionally designate the said member: such legislator shall be designated 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 knowledge of and interest in the marine fisheries problem, to be appointed by the governor. The Commission shall be a body corporate with the powers and duties set forth herein.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"6":{"id":1326950,"text":"ARTICLE IV","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"7":{"id":1326951,"text":"The duty of the said Commission shall be to make inquiry and ascertain from time to time such methods, practices, circumstances and conditions as may be disclosed for bringing about the consideration of the prevention of the depletion and physical waste of the fisheries, marine, shell and anadromous, of the Atlantic seaboard. The Commission shall have power to recommend the coordination of the exercise of the police powers of the several states within their respective jurisdictions to promote the preservation of those fisheries and their protection against overfishing, waste, depletion or any abuse whatsoever and to assure a continuing yield from the fisheries resources of the aforementioned states.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"8":{"id":1326952,"text":"To that end the Commission shall draft and, after consultation with the Advisory Committee hereinafter authorized, recommend to the governors and legislatures of the various signatory states legislation dealing with the conservation of the marine, shell and anadromous fisheries of the Atlantic seaboard. The Commission shall, more than one month prior to any regular meeting of the legislature in any signatory state, present to the governor of the state its recommendations relating to enactments to be made by the legislature of that state in furthering the intents and purposes of this compact.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"9":{"id":1326953,"text":"The Commission shall consult with and advise the pertinent administrative agencies in the states party hereto with regard to problems connected with the fisheries and recommend the adoption of such regulations as it deems advisable.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"10":{"id":1326954,"text":"The Commission shall have power to recommend to the states party hereto the stocking of the waters of such states with fish and fish eggs, or joint stocking by some or all of the states party hereto, and when two or more of the states shall jointly stock waters the Commission shall act as the coordinating agency for such stocking.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"11":{"id":1326955,"text":"ARTICLE V","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"12":{"id":1326956,"text":"The Commission shall elect from its number a chairman and a vice-chairman and shall appoint and at its pleasure remove or discharge such officers and employees as may be required to carry the provision of this compact into effect, and shall fix and determine their duties, qualifications and compensation. Said Commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its business. It may establish and maintain one or more offices for the transaction of its business and may meet at any time or place but must meet at least once a year.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"13":{"id":1326957,"text":"ARTICLE VI","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"14":{"id":1326958,"text":"No action shall be taken by the Commission in regard to its general affairs except by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole number of compacting states present at any meeting. No recommendation shall be made by the Commission in regard to any species of fish except by the affirmative vote of a majority of the compacting states which have an interest in such species. The Commission shall define what shall be an interest.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"15":{"id":1326959,"text":"ARTICLE VII","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"16":{"id":1326960,"text":"The Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior of the Government of the United States shall act as the primary research agency of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, cooperating with the research agencies in each state for that purpose. Representatives of the said Fish and Wildlife Service shall attend the meetings of the Commission.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"17":{"id":1326961,"text":"An Advisory Committee to be representative of the commercial fishermen and the salt water anglers and such other interest of each state as the Commission deems advisable shall be established by the Commission as soon as practicable for the purpose of advising the Commission upon such recommendations as it may desire to make.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"18":{"id":1326962,"text":"ARTICLE VIII","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"19":{"id":1326963,"text":"When any state other than those named specifically in Article II of this compact shall become a party thereto for the purpose of conserving its anadromous fish in accordance with the provisions of Article II the participation of such state in the action of the Commission shall be limited to such species of anadromous fish.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"20":{"id":1326964,"text":"ARTICLE IX","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"21":{"id":1326965,"text":"Nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit the powers of any signatory state or to repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation or the enforcement of any requirement by any signatory state imposing additional conditions and restrictions to conserve its fisheries.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"22":{"id":1326966,"text":"ARTICLE X","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"23":{"id":1326967,"text":"Continued absence of representation or of any representative on the Commission from any state party hereto shall be brought to the attention of the governor thereof.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"24":{"id":1326968,"text":"ARTICLE XI","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"25":{"id":1326969,"text":"The states party hereto agree to make annual appropriations to the support of the Commission in proportion to the primary market value of the products of their fisheries, exclusive of cod and haddock, as recorded in the most recent published reports of the Fish and Wildlife Service of the United States Department of the Interior, provided no state shall contribute less than two hundred dollars per annum and the annual contribution of each state above the minimum shall be figured to the nearest one hundred dollars.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"26":{"id":1326970,"text":"The compacting states agree to appropriate initially the annual amounts scheduled below, which amounts are calculated in the manner set forth herein, on the basis of the catch record of 1938. Subsequent budgets shall be recommended by a majority of the Commission and the cost thereof allocated equitably among the states in accordance with their respective interests and submitted to the compacting states.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"27":{"id":1326971,"text":"SCHEDULE OF INITIAL STATE CONTRIBUTIONS","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"28":{"id":1326972,"text":"ARTICLE XII","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"29":{"id":1326973,"text":"Section 1. This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each compacting state until renounced by it. Renunciation of this compact must be preceded by sending six months’ notice in writing of intention to withdraw from the compact to the other states party hereto.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"30":{"id":1326974,"text":"Section 2. Without further submission of said compact, the consent and approval of Congress is hereby given to the states of Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and for the purpose of the better utilization of their anadromous fisheries, to the states of Vermont and Pennsylvania, to enter into said compact as signatory states and as parties thereto, in addition to the states which have now ratified the compact.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"31":{"id":1326975,"text":"Section 3. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission constituted by the compact shall make an annual report to Congress not later than sixty days after the beginning of each regular session thereof. Such report shall set forth the activities of the Commission during the calendar year ending immediately prior to the beginning of such session.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"32":{"id":1326976,"text":"Section 4. The right to alter, amend, or repeal the provision sections 1, 2 and 3 is hereby expressly reserved, provided that nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit or add to the powers of the proprietary interest of any signatory state or to repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation or the enforcement of any requirement by a signatory state imposing additional conditions and restrictions to conserve its fisheries.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"33":{"id":1326977,"text":"AMENDMENT NUMBER 1","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":""},"34":{"id":1326978,"text":"The states consenting to this amendment agree that any two or more of them may designate the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission as joint regulatory agency with such powers as they may jointly confer from time to time for the regulation of the fishing operations of the citizens and vessels of such designating states with respect to specific fisheries in which such states have a common interest. The representatives of such states on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission shall constitute a separate section of such Commission for the exercise of the additional powers so granted provided that the states so acting shall appropriate additional funds for this purpose. The creation of such section as a joint regulatory agency shall not deprive the states participating therein of any of their privileges or powers or responsibilities in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission under the general compact.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"prior_prefix":""}},"ancestry":[{"id":51000,"edition_id":2,"name":"Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Compact.","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":50999,"metadata":{"child_laws":3,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:46","permalink":{"id":1417679,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":51000,"identifier":"1","token":"28.2\/II\/10\/1","url":"\/28.2\/II\/10\/1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50999,"edition_id":2,"name":"Compacts and Joint Laws With Other States","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":9,"parent_id":50998,"metadata":{"child_laws":10,"child_structures":2},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:46","permalink":{"id":1417677,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50999,"identifier":"10","token":"28.2\/II\/10","url":"\/28.2\/II\/10\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50998,"edition_id":2,"name":"Tidal Fisheries","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":2,"parent_id":50994,"metadata":{"child_laws":289,"child_structures":42},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:42","permalink":{"id":1417675,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50998,"identifier":"II","token":"28.2\/II","url":"\/28.2\/II\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50994,"edition_id":2,"name":"Fisheries and Habitat of the Tidal Waters","identifier":"28.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":70,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":386,"child_structures":71},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:36:05","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:31:41","permalink":{"id":1417591,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50994,"identifier":"28.2","token":"28.2","url":"\/28.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":356431,"structure_id":51000,"section_number":"28.2-1000","catch_line":"Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Compact","url":"\/28.2-1000\/","token":"28.2\/II\/10\/1\/28.2-1000","metadata":false},{"id":356429,"structure_id":51000,"section_number":"28.2-1000.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/28.2-1000.1\/","token":"28.2\/II\/10\/1\/28.2-1000.1","metadata":false},{"id":356430,"structure_id":51000,"section_number":"28.2-1000.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/28.2-1000.2\/","token":"28.2\/II\/10\/1\/28.2-1000.2","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":356429,"structure_id":51000,"section_number":"28.2-1000.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/28.2-1000.1\/","token":"28.2\/II\/10\/1\/28.2-1000.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/28.2-1000\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1962, chapter 406; in 1992, chapter 836.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1417681,"object_type":"law","relational_id":356431,"identifier":"28.2-1000","token":"28.2\/II\/10\/1\/28.2-1000","url":"\/28.2-1000\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/28.2-1000\/","token":"28.2\/II\/10\/1\/28.2-1000","dublin_core":{"Title":"Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Compact","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 28.2-1000","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

ARTICLE I<\/p>

The purpose of this compact is to promote the better utilization of the fisheries<\/span>, marine, shell and anadromous of the Atlantic seaboard by the development of a joint program for the promotion and protection of such fisheries<\/span>, and by the prevention of the physical waste of the fisheries<\/span> from any cause. It is not the purpose of this compact to authorize the states joining herein to limit the production of fish<\/span> or fish<\/span> products for the purpose of establishing or fixing the price thereof, or creating and perpetuating monopoly.<\/p>

ARTICLE II<\/p>

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<\/span> of the executing state and the Congress has given its consent. Any state contiguous with any of the aforementioned states and riparian upon waters frequented by anadromous fish<\/span>, flowing into waters under the jurisdiction<\/span> of any of the aforementioned states, may become a party<\/span> hereto as hereinafter provided.<\/p>

ARTICLE III<\/p>

Each state joining herein shall appoint three representatives to a Commission<\/span> hereby constituted and designated as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries<\/span> Commission<\/span>. One shall be the executive officer<\/span> of the administrative agency of such state charged with the conservation of the fisheries<\/span> resources to which this compact pertains or, if there be more than one officer<\/span> 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<\/span> or Committee on Interstate Cooperation of such state, or if there be none, or if said Commission<\/span> on Interstate Cooperation cannot constitutionally designate the said member: such legislator shall be designated by the governor thereof; provided, that if it is constitutionally impossible to appoint a legislator as a commissioner<\/span> 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 knowledge of and interest in the marine fisheries<\/span> problem, to be appointed by the governor. The Commission<\/span> shall be a body corporate with the powers and duties set forth herein.<\/p>

ARTICLE IV<\/p>

The duty of the said Commission<\/span> shall be to make inquiry and ascertain from time to time such methods, practices, circumstances and conditions as may be disclosed for bringing about the consideration of the prevention of the depletion and physical waste of the fisheries<\/span>, marine, shell and anadromous, of the Atlantic seaboard. The Commission<\/span> shall have power to recommend the coordination of the exercise of the police powers of the several states within their respective jurisdictions<\/span> to promote the preservation of those fisheries<\/span> and their protection against overfishing, waste, depletion or any abuse whatsoever and to assure a continuing yield from the fisheries<\/span> resources of the aforementioned states.<\/p>

To that end the Commission<\/span> shall draft and, after consultation with the Advisory Committee hereinafter authorized, recommend to the governors and legislatures of the various signatory states legislation dealing with the conservation of the marine, shell and anadromous fisheries<\/span> of the Atlantic seaboard. The Commission<\/span> shall, more than one month prior to any regular meeting of the legislature in any signatory state, present to the governor of the state its recommendations relating to enactments to be made by the legislature of that state in furthering the intents<\/span> and purposes of this compact.<\/p>

The Commission<\/span> shall consult with and advise the pertinent administrative agencies in the states party<\/span> hereto with regard to problems connected with the fisheries<\/span> and recommend the adoption of such regulations as it deems advisable.<\/p>

The Commission<\/span> shall have power to recommend to the states party<\/span> hereto the stocking of the waters of such states with fish<\/span> and fish<\/span> eggs, or joint stocking by some or all of the states party<\/span> hereto, and when two or more of the states shall jointly stock waters the Commission<\/span> shall act as the coordinating agency for such stocking.<\/p>

ARTICLE V<\/p>

The Commission<\/span> shall elect from its number a chairman and a vice-chairman and shall appoint and at its pleasure remove or discharge such officers<\/span> and employees as may be required to carry the provision of this compact into effect, and shall fix and determine their duties, qualifications and compensation. Said Commission<\/span> shall adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its business. It may establish and maintain one or more offices for the transaction of its business and may meet at any time or place but must meet at least once a year.<\/p>

ARTICLE VI<\/p>

No action shall be taken by the Commission<\/span> in regard to its general affairs except by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole number of compacting states present at any meeting. No recommendation shall be made by the Commission<\/span> in regard to any species of fish<\/span> except by the affirmative vote of a majority of the compacting states which have an interest in such species. The Commission<\/span> shall define what shall be an interest.<\/p>

ARTICLE VII<\/p>

The Fish<\/span> and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior of the Government of the United States shall act as the primary research agency of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries<\/span> Commission<\/span>, cooperating with the research agencies in each state for that purpose. Representatives of the said Fish<\/span> and Wildlife Service shall attend the meetings of the Commission<\/span>.<\/p>

An Advisory Committee to be representative of the commercial fishermen and the salt water anglers and such other interest of each state as the Commission<\/span> deems advisable shall be established by the Commission<\/span> as soon as practicable for the purpose of advising the Commission<\/span> upon such recommendations as it may desire to make.<\/p>

ARTICLE VIII<\/p>

When any state other than those named specifically in Article II of this compact shall become a party<\/span> thereto for the purpose of conserving its anadromous fish<\/span> in accordance with the provisions of Article II the participation of such state in the action of the Commission<\/span> shall be limited to such species of anadromous fish<\/span>.<\/p>

ARTICLE IX<\/p>

Nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit the powers of any signatory state or to repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation or the enforcement of any requirement by any signatory state imposing additional conditions and restrictions to conserve its fisheries<\/span>.<\/p>

ARTICLE X<\/p>

Continued absence of representation or of any representative on the Commission<\/span> from any state party<\/span> hereto shall be brought to the attention of the governor thereof.<\/p>

ARTICLE XI<\/p>

The states party<\/span> hereto agree to make annual appropriations to the support of the Commission<\/span> in proportion to the primary market value of the products of their fisheries<\/span>, exclusive of cod and haddock, as recorded in the most recent published reports of the Fish<\/span> and Wildlife Service of the United States Department of the Interior, provided no state shall contribute less than two hundred dollars per annum and the annual contribution of each state above the minimum shall be figured to the nearest one hundred dollars.<\/p>

The compacting states agree to appropriate initially the annual amounts scheduled below, which amounts are calculated in the manner set forth herein, on the basis of the catch record of 1938. Subsequent budgets shall be recommended by a majority of the Commission<\/span> and the cost thereof allocated equitably among the states in accordance with their respective interests and submitted to the compacting states.<\/p>

SCHEDULE OF INITIAL STATE CONTRIBUTIONS<\/p>

ARTICLE XII<\/p>

Section 1. This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each compacting state until renounced by it. Renunciation of this compact must be preceded by sending six months’ notice in writing of intention to withdraw from the compact to the other states party<\/span> hereto.<\/p>

Section 2. Without further submission of said compact, the consent and approval of Congress is hereby given to the states of Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and for the purpose of the better utilization of their anadromous fisheries<\/span>, to the states of Vermont and Pennsylvania, to enter into said compact as signatory states and as parties thereto, in addition to the states which have now ratified the compact.<\/p>

Section 3. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries<\/span> Commission<\/span> constituted by the compact shall make an annual report to Congress not later than sixty days after the beginning of each regular session thereof. Such report shall set forth the activities of the Commission<\/span> during the calendar year ending immediately prior to the beginning of such session.<\/p>

Section 4. The right to alter, amend<\/span>, or repeal the provision sections 1, 2 and 3 is hereby expressly reserved, provided that nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit or add to the powers of the proprietary interest of any signatory state or to repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation or the enforcement of any requirement by a signatory state imposing additional conditions and restrictions to conserve its fisheries<\/span>.<\/p>

AMENDMENT NUMBER 1<\/p>

The states consenting to this amendment agree that any two or more of them may designate the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries<\/span> Commission<\/span> as joint regulatory agency with such powers as they may jointly confer from time to time for the regulation of the fishing<\/span> operations of the citizens and vessels of such designating states with respect to specific fisheries<\/span> in which such states have a common interest. The representatives of such states on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries<\/span> Commission<\/span> shall constitute a separate section of such Commission<\/span> for the exercise of the additional powers so granted provided that the states so acting shall appropriate additional funds for this purpose. The creation of such section as a joint regulatory agency shall not deprive the states participating therein of any of their privileges<\/span> or powers or responsibilities in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries<\/span> Commission<\/span> under the general compact.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nATLANTIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMPACT (\u00a7 28.2-1000)\n\nARTICLE I\n\nThe purpose of this compact is to promote the better utilization of the\nfisheries, marine, shell and anadromous of the Atlantic seaboard by the\ndevelopment of a joint program for the promotion and protection of such\nfisheries, and by the prevention of the physical waste of the fisheries from any\ncause. It is not the purpose of this compact to authorize the states joining\nherein to limit the production of fish or fish products for the purpose of\nestablishing or fixing the price thereof, or creating and perpetuating monopoly.\n\nARTICLE II\n\nThis agreement shall become operative immediately as to those states executing\nit whenever any two or more of the states of Maine, New Hampshire,\nMassachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware,\nMaryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida have\nexecuted it in the form that is in accordance with the laws of the executing\nstate and the Congress has given its consent. Any state contiguous with any of\nthe aforementioned states and riparian upon waters frequented by anadromous\nfish, flowing into waters under the jurisdiction of any of the aforementioned\nstates, may become a party hereto as hereinafter provided.\n\nARTICLE III\n\nEach state joining herein shall appoint three representatives to a Commission\nhereby constituted and designated as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries\nCommission. One shall be the executive officer of the administrative agency of\nsuch state charged with the conservation of the fisheries resources to which\nthis compact pertains or, if there be more than one officer or agency, the\nofficial of that state named by the governor thereof. The second shall be a\nmember of the legislature of such state designated by the Commission or\nCommittee on Interstate Cooperation of such state, or if there be none, or if\nsaid Commission on Interstate Cooperation cannot constitutionally designate the\nsaid member: such legislator shall be designated by the governor thereof;\nprovided, that if it is constitutionally impossible to appoint a legislator as a\ncommissioner from such state, the second member shall be appointed by the\ngovernor of said state in his discretion. The third shall be a citizen who shall\nhave a knowledge of and interest in the marine fisheries problem, to be\nappointed by the governor. The Commission shall be a body corporate with the\npowers and duties set forth herein.\n\nARTICLE IV\n\nThe duty of the said Commission shall be to make inquiry and ascertain from time\nto time such methods, practices, circumstances and conditions as may be\ndisclosed for bringing about the consideration of the prevention of the\ndepletion and physical waste of the fisheries, marine, shell and anadromous, of\nthe Atlantic seaboard. The Commission shall have power to recommend the\ncoordination of the exercise of the police powers of the several states within\ntheir respective jurisdictions to promote the preservation of those fisheries\nand their protection against overfishing, waste, depletion or any abuse\nwhatsoever and to assure a continuing yield from the fisheries resources of the\naforementioned states.\n\nTo that end the Commission shall draft and, after consultation with the Advisory\nCommittee hereinafter authorized, recommend to the governors and legislatures of\nthe various signatory states legislation dealing with the conservation of the\nmarine, shell and anadromous fisheries of the Atlantic seaboard. The Commission\nshall, more than one month prior to any regular meeting of the legislature in\nany signatory state, present to the governor of the state its recommendations\nrelating to enactments to be made by the legislature of that state in furthering\nthe intents and purposes of this compact.\n\nThe Commission shall consult with and advise the pertinent administrative\nagencies in the states party hereto with regard to problems connected with the\nfisheries and recommend the adoption of such regulations as it deems advisable.\n\nThe Commission shall have power to recommend to the states party hereto the\nstocking of the waters of such states with fish and fish eggs, or joint stocking\nby some or all of the states party hereto, and when two or more of the states\nshall jointly stock waters the Commission shall act as the coordinating agency\nfor such stocking.\n\nARTICLE V\n\nThe Commission shall elect from its number a chairman and a vice-chairman and\nshall appoint and at its pleasure remove or discharge such officers and\nemployees as may be required to carry the provision of this compact into effect,\nand shall fix and determine their duties, qualifications and compensation. Said\nCommission shall adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its business. It\nmay establish and maintain one or more offices for the transaction of its\nbusiness and may meet at any time or place but must meet at least once a year.\n\nARTICLE VI\n\nNo action shall be taken by the Commission in regard to its general affairs\nexcept by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole number of compacting\nstates present at any meeting. No recommendation shall be made by the Commission\nin regard to any species of fish except by the affirmative vote of a majority of\nthe compacting states which have an interest in such species. The Commission\nshall define what shall be an interest.\n\nARTICLE VII\n\nThe Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior of the\nGovernment of the United States shall act as the primary research agency of the\nAtlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, cooperating with the research\nagencies in each state for that purpose. Representatives of the said Fish and\nWildlife Service shall attend the meetings of the Commission.\n\nAn Advisory Committee to be representative of the commercial fishermen and the\nsalt water anglers and such other interest of each state as the Commission deems\nadvisable shall be established by the Commission as soon as practicable for the\npurpose of advising the Commission upon such recommendations as it may desire to\nmake.\n\nARTICLE VIII\n\nWhen any state other than those named specifically in Article II of this compact\nshall become a party thereto for the purpose of conserving its anadromous fish\nin accordance with the provisions of Article II the participation of such state\nin the action of the Commission shall be limited to such species of anadromous\nfish.\n\nARTICLE IX\n\nNothing in this compact shall be construed to limit the powers of any signatory\nstate or to repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation or the\nenforcement of any requirement by any signatory state imposing additional\nconditions and restrictions to conserve its fisheries.\n\nARTICLE X\n\nContinued absence of representation or of any representative on the Commission\nfrom any state party hereto shall be brought to the attention of the governor\nthereof.\n\nARTICLE XI\n\nThe states party hereto agree to make annual appropriations to the support of\nthe Commission in proportion to the primary market value of the products of\ntheir fisheries, exclusive of cod and haddock, as recorded in the most recent\npublished reports of the Fish and Wildlife Service of the United States\nDepartment of the Interior, provided no state shall contribute less than two\nhundred dollars per annum and the annual contribution of each state above the\nminimum shall be figured to the nearest one hundred dollars.\n\nThe compacting states agree to appropriate initially the annual amounts\nscheduled below, which amounts are calculated in the manner set forth herein, on\nthe basis of the catch record of 1938. Subsequent budgets shall be recommended\nby a majority of the Commission and the cost thereof allocated equitably among\nthe states in accordance with their respective interests and submitted to the\ncompacting states.\n\nSCHEDULE OF INITIAL STATE CONTRIBUTIONS\n\nARTICLE XII\n\nSection 1. This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each\ncompacting state until renounced by it. Renunciation of this compact must be\npreceded by sending six months’ notice in writing of intention to withdraw\nfrom the compact to the other states party hereto.\n\nSection 2. Without further submission of said compact, the consent and approval\nof Congress is hereby given to the states of Connecticut, North Carolina, South\nCarolina, Georgia, and Florida, and for the purpose of the better utilization of\ntheir anadromous fisheries, to the states of Vermont and Pennsylvania, to enter\ninto said compact as signatory states and as parties thereto, in addition to the\nstates which have now ratified the compact.\n\nSection 3. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission constituted by the\ncompact shall make an annual report to Congress not later than sixty days after\nthe beginning of each regular session thereof. Such report shall set forth the\nactivities of the Commission during the calendar year ending immediately prior\nto the beginning of such session.\n\nSection 4. The right to alter, amend, or repeal the provision sections 1, 2 and\n3 is hereby expressly reserved, provided that nothing in this compact shall be\nconstrued to limit or add to the powers of the proprietary interest of any\nsignatory state or to repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation or the\nenforcement of any requirement by a signatory state imposing additional\nconditions and restrictions to conserve its fisheries.\n\nAMENDMENT NUMBER 1\n\nThe states consenting to this amendment agree that any two or more of them may\ndesignate the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission as joint regulatory\nagency with such powers as they may jointly confer from time to time for the\nregulation of the fishing operations of the citizens and vessels of such\ndesignating states with respect to specific fisheries in which such states have\na common interest. The representatives of such states on the Atlantic States\nMarine Fisheries Commission shall constitute a separate section of such\nCommission for the exercise of the additional powers so granted provided that\nthe states so acting shall appropriate additional funds for this purpose. The\ncreation of such section as a joint regulatory agency shall not deprive the\nstates participating therein of any of their privileges or powers or\nresponsibilities in the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission under the\ngeneral compact.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 28-254, 28-255; 1962, c. 406, \u00a7 28.1-202; 1992, c.\n836.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}