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) Electro-trawls

      1. (A) Until December 1, 2000, 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.
      2. (B) Effective December 1, 2000, in outside waters beyond 5 nautical miles, an electro-trawl having an applied voltage of no more than three volts may be used for taking shrimp.

   4. (4) Until December 1, 2000

      1. (A) There are no restrictions on the number of trawls that may be used in outside waters except as provided in this section;
      2. (B) Effective immediately following the ending date of the summer Gulf closure 2001, no more than two trawls may be used in the outside waters from shoreline out to three nautical miles except as provided in this section.

   5. (5) Effective immediately following the ending date of the summer Gulf closure 2001, except as otherwise provided in this section, in the outside waters from shoreline out to three nautical miles, the main trawl:

      1. (A) must have doors at least 3 feet long as measured along the door centerline from leading tip to the trailing edge of the door; and
      2. (B) must not exceed any of the following dimensions, as measured along an uninterrupted corkline from leading tip of door to leading tip of door including any and all add-on devices or attachments to the corkline:
         Attached Graphic
         
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) From December 1, 2000 and thereafter, that portion of the Southern Shrimp Zone from the shoreline out to 5 nautical miles is closed to shrimping from February 16 to the start date of the summer Gulf closure.

   2. (2) Night:

      1. (A) Until December 1, 2000, the outside waters within seven fathoms are closed to night shrimping (30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise) throughout the year;
      2. (B) Effective December 1, 2000, the outside waters from the shoreline out to 5 nautical miles is closed to night shrimping (30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise).

   3. (3) 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.
   4. (4) Winter closed season: From December 1, 2000 and thereafter, the outside waters from the shoreline out to 5 nautical miles are closed from December 1 through February 15 the following year unless taking seabobs in the Northern Zone.

   5. (5) 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 (in the North Zone only).
      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 any of the following dimensions, as measured along an uninterrupted corkline from leading tip of door including any and all add-on devices or attachments to the corkline
            Attached Graphic
            
         2. (ii) Mesh size: trawls used for seabobs must have a mesh size of 6 1/2 inches in length between the two most widely separated knots in a consecutive series of five stretched meshes after the trawl has been used

Source Note:The provisions of this §58.161 adopted to be effective October 3, 1996, 21 TexReg 9176; amended to be effective October 10, 2000, 25 TexReg 10157.