1. (a) A person who holds a valid Exotic Species Permit issued by the department may possess, propagate, sell and transport to the permittee's private facilities exotic harmful or potentially harmful fish, shellfish and aquatic plants only as authorized in the permit provided the harmful or potentially harmful exotic species are to be used exclusively:

   1. (1) as experimental organisms in a department approved research program; or
   2. (2) for exhibit in a public aquarium approved for display of harmful or potentially harmful exotic fish, shellfish and aquatic plants.
2. (b) A person may possess exotic harmful or potentially harmful fish or shellfish, exclusive of grass carp, without a permit, if the intestines of the fish or shellfish have been removed.
3. (c) A person may possess grass carp harvested from public waters that have not been permitted for triploid grass carp, without a permit, if the intestines have been removed.
4. (d) A fish farmer who holds a valid exotic species permit issued by the department may possess, propagate, transport or sell triploid grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmicthys molitrix), triploid black carp (Mylophryngogon piceus, also commonly known as snail carp), bighead carp (Aristichthys/Hypophthalmicthys nobilis), blue tilapia (Tilapia aurea), Mozambique tilapia (Tilapia mossambica), Nile tilapia (Tilapia nilotica), or hybrids between the three tilapia species, unless otherwise provided by conditions of the permit or these rules.
5. (e) A fish farmer who holds a valid exotic species permit issued by the department may possess, propagate, transport, or sell Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) provided the exotic shellfish meet disease free certification requirements listed in §57.114 of this title (relating to Health Certification of Exotic Shellfish) and as provided by conditions of the permit and these rules.
6. (f) An operator of a wastewater treatment facility in possession of a valid exotic species permit issued by the department may possess and transport permitted exotic species to their facility only for the purpose of wastewater treatment.
7. (g) A person may possess Mozambique tilapia in a private pond subject to compliance with §57.116(d) of this title (relating to Exotic Species Transport Invoice).
8. (h) The holder of a valid triploid grass carp permit issued by the department may possess triploid grass carp as provided by conditions of the permit and these rules.

9. (i) A licensed retail or wholesale fish dealer is not required to have an exotic species permit to purchase or possess:

   1. (1) live individuals of species or hybrids of species listed in subsection (d) of this section held in the place of business, unless the retail or wholesale fish dealer propagates one or more of these species. However, such a dealer may sell or deliver these species to another person only if the intestines or head of the fish are removed; or
   2. (2) Live Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) held in the place of business if the place of business is not located within the Harmful or Potentially Harmful Exotic Species Exclusion Zone. However, such a dealer may only sell or deliver this species to another person if the shrimp are dead and packaged on ice or frozen.
10. (j) The department is authorized to stock planktivorous fish including silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp Aristichthys/Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) if necessary in Lake Rita Blanca, Hartley County, in order to investigate their utility as biological agents to improve water quality and enhance fishery management.
11. (k) The department is authorized to stock triploid grass carp into public waters in situations where the department has determined that there is a legitimate need, and when stocking will not affect threatened or endangered species, coastal wetlands, or specific management objectives for other important species.
12. (l) A fish farmer who holds a valid exotic species permit issued by the department may possess, propagate, transport and sell Pacific blue shrimp (Litopenaeus sylirostris) provided the exotic shellfish are cultured under quarantine conditions in private facilities located outside the harmful or potentially harmful exotic species exclusion zone, and meet disease free certification requirements listed in §57.114 of this title (relating to Health Certification of Exotic Shellfish) and as provided by conditions of the permit and these rules.
13. (m) Any person who, as of the effective date of these rules, holds a valid exotic species permit issued by the department to possess, propagate, transport or sell Anguilla japonicus may continue to conduct such activities as authorized by the conditions of the permit. The permit may not be transferred to any other person, site or entity.
14. (n) An operator of a mechanical plant harvester in possession of a valid exotic species permit issued by the department may remove and dispose of prohibited plant species from public or private waters only by means authorized in the permit.

Source Note:The provisions of this §57.113 adopted to be effective January 2, 1997, 21 TexReg 12414; amended to be effective December 29, 1997, 22 TexReg 12535; amended to be effective June 21, 1998, 23 TexReg 6507; amended to be effective July 19, 2000, 25 TexReg 6772; amended to be effective April 30, 2001, 26 TexReg 3219.