1. (a) Gulf net restrictions.

   1. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no trawls may have a mesh size smaller than 8 3/4 inches in length between the two most widely separated knots in any consecutive series of five stretched meshes after the trawl has been used.
   2. (2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the presence of a shrimp trawl (excluding doors) not stored within the confines of the hull of a vessel in outside water during the closed periods provided by subsection (d) of this section is prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.
   3. (3) In outside waters of more than seven fathoms, an electro-trawl having an applied voltage of no more than three volts may be used for taking shrimp.
   4. (4) There are no restrictions on the number of trawls that may be used in outside waters except as provided in this section.
2. (b) Bag and possession limits. During the gulf open season there are no bag and possession limits on shrimp.
3. (c) Size limits. Shrimp of any size may be retained when caught lawfully in the outside waters.

4. (d) Gulf shrimping seasons. The outside waters are open to shrimping except:

   1. (1) Night: the outside waters within seven fathoms are closed to night shrimping (30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise) throughout the year;

   2. (2) Summer closed season:

      1. (A) The outside waters are closed from 30 minutes after sunset on May 15 to 30 minutes after sunset July 15.
      2. (B) The commission may change the opening and closing dates to provide an earlier, later, or longer season not to exceed 75 days.
      3. (C) The department will provide 72 hours public notice prior to a change in the closing date, and 24 hours public notice prior to reopening the season.
   3. (3) Winter closed season: the outside waters up to and including seven fathoms are closed from December 16 through February 1 the following year, unless taking seabobs.

   4. (4) Seabob season:

      1. (A) Seabobs may be taken:

         1. (i) during daylight hours only (30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset);
         2. (ii) during the gulf open season; and
         3. (iii) during the winter closed season.
      2. (B) No person catching seabobs may catch or have on board a boat any other species of shrimp which exceed 10%, in weight or number, of the entire catch.
      3. (C) Not more than one trawl may be used for taking seabobs.

      4. (D) Trawl restrictions for taking seabobs:

         1. (i) Trawl width may not exceed 25 feet as measured along the corkline from board to board or between extremes of any other spreading device.
         2. (ii) Mesh size: there are no mesh size restrictions for the take of seabobs.

Source Note:The provisions of this §58.161 adopted to be effective October 3, 1996, 21 TexReg 9176.