Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted the following language in its 2007-2008 Statewide Hunting and Fishing Proclamation (Texas state hunting and fishing laws); and the rule became effective September 1, 2007:
§65.82. Other Aquatic Life.
(a) It is unlawful for a person to knowingly take, kill, or disturb sea turtles or sea turtle eggs in or from the waters of the State of Texas.
(b) It is unlawful for a person to knowingly take or possess a diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) or their eggs unless the person is authorized to do so under a permit issued under Subchapter O of this chapter (relating to Commercial Nongame Permit) or Chapter 69, Subchapter J of this title (relating to Scientific, Educational, and Zoological Permits).
(c)[(b)] There is no open season on porpoises, dolphins (mammals), whales, or sawfishes (Pristis perotteti).
(d)[(c)] It is unlawful for any person to take or kill shell-bearing mollusks, hermit crabs, starfish, or sea urchins from November 1 through April 30 within the following boundary: the bay and pass sides of South Padre Island from the East end of the north jetty at Brazos Santiago Pass to the West end of West Marisol drive in the town of South Padre Island, out 1,000 yards from the mean high-tide line, and bounded to the south by the centerline of the Brazos Santiago Pass.
(e)[(d)] It is unlawful for any person to take, kill, or possess more than 15 univalve snails (all species), to include no more than two of each of the following species: lightening whelk, horse conch, Florida fighting conch, pear whelk, banded tulip, and Florida rocksnail.
(f)[(e)] Any other aquatic life (except threatened and endangered species) not addressed in this subchapter may be taken only by hand or with the devices defined as lawful for taking fish, crabs, oysters, or shrimp in places and at times as provided by proclamations of the Parks and Wildlife Commission and the Parks and Wildlife Code.
