2017-2018 Texas Commercial Fishing Guide
45
MUSSELS AND CLAMS
A moratorium on the sale of new licenses is in effect for the Texas commercial freshwater
mussel fishery.
SEA TURTLES AND OTHER AQUATIC LIFE
It is UNLAWFUL for any person to knowingly
take, kill or disturb any sea turtle or sea
turtle eggs in the State of Texas. To report
stranded sea turtles or nests, please call
1-866-TURTLES.
There is no open season in any county
for ALL MARINE MAMMALS INCLUDING
PORPOISES, DOLPHINS AND WHALES.
Any other aquatic life (except threatened
and endangered species) not addressed in
this guide may be taken only by hand or
with the devices defined as lawful for taking
fish, shrimp, oysters or crabs in places and at
times as provided in this guide.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES AND
CIVIL VALUE RECOVERY
If you violate fish and wildlife laws, in
addition to civil restitution you may:
• be fined (Class C – $25–$500; Class
B – $200–$2,000;
Class A – $500–$4,000; State Jail
Felony, $1,500–$10,000);
• be jailed (Class B and higher
offenses);
• face automatic suspension or revocation of licenses for up to five years;
• forfeit hunting gear, including firearms, used to commit a violation.
CIVIL RESTITUTION: In addition to the
criminal penalty for hunting and fishing
violations, the department will seek the civil
recovery value for the loss or damage to
wildlife resources. The civil restitution cost
is payable to Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department and is in addition to the fine
assessed by the court. Failure to pay the
civil recovery value will result in the
department’s refusal to issue a license, tag,
or permit. An individual who hunts or fishes
after the refusal commits a Class A
misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine
not less than $500 or more than $4,000;
punishment in jail not to exceed one year; or
both fine and confinement.
LICENSE REINSTATEMENT: A person who
seeks reinstatement of license privileges
following license revocation or denial must
apply for license privilege reinstatement
and pay a $100 application fee. For
questions concerning civil restitution call
(512) 389-4630.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Texas is now a member
of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
(IWVC). The IWVC is a multi-state compact
that allows member states to share
information about wildlife violators and to
deny licensure to persons who have failed to
comply with conservation law in member
states. For example, if a person has had
their hunting, fishing or trapping privileges
suspended in one member state, the
suspension may be recognized by any
member state. For more information call
(512) 389-4381.
266
45
MUSSELS AND CLAMS
A moratorium on the sale of new licenses is in effect for the Texas commercial freshwater
mussel fishery.
SEA TURTLES AND OTHER AQUATIC LIFE
It is UNLAWFUL for any person to knowingly
take, kill or disturb any sea turtle or sea
turtle eggs in the State of Texas. To report
stranded sea turtles or nests, please call
1-866-TURTLES.
There is no open season in any county
for ALL MARINE MAMMALS INCLUDING
PORPOISES, DOLPHINS AND WHALES.
Any other aquatic life (except threatened
and endangered species) not addressed in
this guide may be taken only by hand or
with the devices defined as lawful for taking
fish, shrimp, oysters or crabs in places and at
times as provided in this guide.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES AND
CIVIL VALUE RECOVERY
If you violate fish and wildlife laws, in
addition to civil restitution you may:
• be fined (Class C – $25–$500; Class
B – $200–$2,000;
Class A – $500–$4,000; State Jail
Felony, $1,500–$10,000);
• be jailed (Class B and higher
offenses);
• face automatic suspension or revocation of licenses for up to five years;
• forfeit hunting gear, including firearms, used to commit a violation.
CIVIL RESTITUTION: In addition to the
criminal penalty for hunting and fishing
violations, the department will seek the civil
recovery value for the loss or damage to
wildlife resources. The civil restitution cost
is payable to Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department and is in addition to the fine
assessed by the court. Failure to pay the
civil recovery value will result in the
department’s refusal to issue a license, tag,
or permit. An individual who hunts or fishes
after the refusal commits a Class A
misdemeanor which is punishable by a fine
not less than $500 or more than $4,000;
punishment in jail not to exceed one year; or
both fine and confinement.
LICENSE REINSTATEMENT: A person who
seeks reinstatement of license privileges
following license revocation or denial must
apply for license privilege reinstatement
and pay a $100 application fee. For
questions concerning civil restitution call
(512) 389-4630.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Texas is now a member
of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
(IWVC). The IWVC is a multi-state compact
that allows member states to share
information about wildlife violators and to
deny licensure to persons who have failed to
comply with conservation law in member
states. For example, if a person has had
their hunting, fishing or trapping privileges
suspended in one member state, the
suspension may be recognized by any
member state. For more information call
(512) 389-4381.
266