Seagrass Plants

Sec. 66.024. SEAGRASS PLANTS. (a) In this section, "seagrass plant" means a flowering marine plant of the species: (1) Cymodocea filiformis, known as manatee grass; (2) Halodule beaudettei or Halodule wrightii, known as shoal grass; (3) Halophila engelmannii, known as star grass or Engelmann's seagrass; (4) Ruppia maritima, known as widgeon grass; or (5) Thalassia testudinum, known as turtle grass. (b) A person may not uproot or dig out any rooted seagrass plant from a bay bottom or other saltwater bottom area in the jurisdiction of this state by means of a propeller, except as that uprooting or digging out may be authorized by a commercial license or permit issued by the department. (c) It is a defense to prosecution under this section that a person: (1) anchors a vessel within an area containing seagrass plants and uproots a seagrass plant; (2) uses an electric trolling motor within an area containing seagrass plants and uproots a seagrass plant; or (3) operates a vessel in a manner consistent with the acceleration required to reach and stay on plane. (d) A person who violates this section or a proclamation of the commission under this section commits an offense that is a Class C Parks and Wildlife Code misdemeanor. Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1071 (H.B. 3279), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013. SUBCHAPTER B. FRESH WATER FISHING