Milford chronicle., 1945-04-27
SEE OBJECTIONS
TO FISHING BILL

Two controversial features OF the
bill to provide Joint control by
Delaware and New Jersey of lish-
il.S in the Delaware River and Bay
are expected to attract attention
of fishermen and legislators when
the measure is Introduced in full
III the General Assembly probably
This week.
a similar measure has already
been passed by the New Jersey
House of Representatives while
the one at Dover is in skeleton
form.
One controversial feature is the
specifying Of minimum s,iZeS FOR 81
varieties of fish caught in the riv-
er or bay. The measure would re-
quirc fishermen To throw back any
fish Of these varieties below the
minimum lengths. which vary from
seven to If inches.
Fishermen operating u little
further south. in the Atlantic
Ocean or in Indian River Inlet.
have no such limitation. and they
could catch and ship into Delaware
fish below the proposed minimum
sizes, ii is argued. Both sports and
commercial fishermen would be
subject to the proposed limitation.
Ban On Impurities
The second feature likely to
arouse opposition. it was pointed
ont is the prohibition against per
mitting any impurities to flow into
the river and bay iii quantities sui
ficient to destroy or impair fish life
A fine of 81 900 would be provided
for such pollution.
Some of the other provisions of
the act are:
Residents of each state Will have
the right to fish. but party boat
operators from either state viii moi
be authorized to pick up fares ON
the shores of the other state unless
licensed therein, if such other state
requires license for its own citi-
Zens.
Catching of oysters. CLANS. or
other shelllish will not be affected
Seines and nets could be used at
tllV tuSC WI lON Ndttl IUN IOtl1
and lines and hand lines with not
more than three hooks might be us
ed. Mesh of nets would not be less
than three inches. stretched mea-
sure. while in use
Types Permitted Listed
The proposed act describes the
types of fishing permitted, and pro-
vides that it would be lawful to
use traWl lines or set lines with
three or more hooks from NoVrm-
ber Il to March to take Goldfish
only
Taking of shad with Il net with
mesEei less than five and one
quarter inches. stretched measure
while hein" fiehcd, would he for
idden. as is taking OF shad from
June 10 to March of the follow in :
Ncar
Sturgeon would not be taken with
Il net with mesheS less than T.
inches, stretched while being fish
ed. 1t would be unlawful to take
sturgeon between July | each year
and March /. succeeding.
Nets would not be staked acros,
the mouth of any river. creek. or
stream cmptying into the bay or
river.
The Atlantic States Marine Fish
cries Commission was instrumental
in bringing together the attorneys
general of the two states to pre-
pare identical legislation.
Passage of the bill by both states
would at last make Il reality Of The
compact entered into by the states
inS 1908 for Joint and uniform fish
ing control laws for the river and
bay. This compact was approved
by Congress.
In the 20 years from 1923 to 1913
the motor vehicle death rate fol
school age children 6 to If years
las dropped SO per cent under the
impact of organized safety effort in
the schools. reports to the National
Safety Council prove.
Buy WAR BONDS.