SECTION 57.991. Commercial Fishing Seasons

(a) The commercial seasons for finfish species listed in this section and caught in Texas waters shall run concurrently with commercial seasons established for the same species caught in federal waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

(b) The commercial fishing season in the EEZ will be set by the National Marine Fisheries Service for:

(1) red snapper under guidelines established by the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources for the Gulf of Mexico;

(2) king mackerel under guidelines established by the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; and

(3) sharks (all species, their hybrids and subspecies) under guidelines established by the Fishery Management Plan for Highly Migratory Species.

(c) When federal and/or state waters are closed, it is unlawful to:

(1) purchase, barter, trade or sell finfish species listed in this section landed in this state;

(2) transfer at sea finfish species listed in this section caught or possessed in the waters of this state; or

(3) possess finfish species listed in this section in excess of the current recreational bag or possession limit in or on the waters of this state.

Source Note: The provisions of this §57.991 adopted to be effective June 27, 2010, 35 TexReg 5564