SECTION 57.975. Freeze Event Closures

(a) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) Affected area--an area of coastal water where game fish are known or expected to congregate in response to cold weather conditions, making them vulnerable to overharvest.

(2) Freeze--a period of cold weather during which air temperatures are expected to cause coastal water temperatures to fall below 40° F, creating a risk of depletion of one or more game fish species.

(b) The Executive Director shall provide appropriate notice to the public that a closure in anticipation of a freeze has been declared and fishing in the affected area or areas is prohibited. The Executive Director shall provide appropriate public notice as to when fishing in the affected area or areas is allowed to resume.

(c) The Executive Director may allow fishing in affected areas to resume when water temperatures, as measured by select National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tide stations, reach a minimum of 50° F and are expected to remain above 40° F for at least 48 hours.

(d) No person shall take or attempt to take any aquatic life by any means in an affected area after the Executive Director has given notice to the public that fishing in the affected area is prohibited and before the Executive Director gives notice that fishing may resume.

Source Note: The provisions of this §57.975 adopted to be effective June 27, 2010, 35 TexReg 5564; amended to be effective September 1, 2012, 37 TexReg 3597; amended to be effective January 18, 2022, 47 TexReg 94