Tex.
Parks & Wild. Code Section 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.
Source:
Section 66.024 — Seagrass Plants, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PW/htm/PW.66.htm#66.024 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).
