The following words and terms, when used in these sections, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

1. (1) Aquatic plant--All plants whose seeds germinate in either the water phase or the substrate of a body of water and which must spend part of the life cycle in water (Reid, G.K., and R.O. Wood 1976, Ecology of Inland Waters and Estuaries).
2. (2) Department--The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or any authorized employee thereof.
3. (3) Fishing--Taking or attempting to take aquatic life by any means.
4. (4) Native fish--All fish and shellfish documented by the department to live, spawn, or reproduce in Texas public waters and whose first documented occurrence in Texas public waters was not the result of direct or indirect importation by man.
5. (5) Nongame fish--All fish included in the definition for nongame fish in §65.3 of this title (relating to Statewide Hunting and Fishing Definitions).
6. (6) Public water--Bays, estuaries, and water of the Gulf of Mexico within the jurisdiction of the state, and the rivers, streams, creeks, bayous, reservoirs, lakes, and portions of those waters where public access is available without discrimination (Parks and Wildlife Code, §66.015(a)).
7. (7) Shellfish--Aquatic species of crustaceans and mollusks, including oysters, clams, shrimp, prawns, and crabs of all varieties.

Source Note:The provisions of this §57.251 adopted to be effective January 2, 1997, 21 TexReg 12416.