EMERGENCY 
 RULES 
 
 An agency may adopt a new or amended section or repeal an existing section on 
an emergency basis if it determines that such action is necessary for the public 
health, safety, or welfare of this state. The section may become effective 
immediately upon filing with the  Texas Register, or on a stated date less than 
20 days after filing and remaining in effect no more than 120 days. The 
emergency action is renewable once for no more than 60 additional days. 
  Symbology in amended emergency sections. New language added to an existing 
section is indicated by the use of  bold text. [Brackets] indicate deletion of 
existing material within a section. 
 
   
  TITLE 31. NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION 
 Part II. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 
  Chapter 57. Fisheries 
  
  Emergency Shrimp Season Closure 
 
  31 TAC sec.57.352 
 
  The Texas Parks and Wildlife department adopts on an emergency basis new 
sec.57.352, concerning provisions for a earlier or later closing of the 
shrimping season in Gulf (outside) waters of the Texas territorial sea (nine 
nautical miles). Based on sound biological data, the executive director has 
determined that migration of small brown shrimp from the bays to the Gulf of 
Mexico will occur later than the May 15 regulatory closure date. The emergency 
rule is adopted to adjust the May 15 closing date to June 1, 1996 for a minimum 
closure of 45 days. 
 The purpose of the closed Gulf season is to protect brown shrimp during their 
major period of emigration from the bays to the Gulf of Mexico until they reach 
a larger, more valuable size before harvest and to prevent waste caused by the 
discarding of smaller individuals. The executive director found imminent peril 
to the public welfare which required the closing date be moved forward to June 
1, 1996. This emergency measure minimizes social and economic hardship in a 
depressed industry by closing the season 17 days later than scheduled to obtain 
optimum yield from the shrimp resource. 
 The new section is adopted on an emergency basis under authority of Parks and 
Wildlife Code, sec.77.062, and 31 TAC sec.57.661(a) and (k). In April 1978, the 
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission delegated to the executive director the 
duties and responsibilities of opening and closing the shrimping season under 
this section. 
 
 
  sec.57.352. Late Closure of the Gulf Shrimping Season. The 1996 general closed 
season for shrimp as defined in 31 TAC sec.57.661(a) and (k) of this title 
(relating to Texas Shrimp Fishery Management Plan and Economic Impact Analysis) 
extends from 30 minutes after sunset June 1, 1996, to 30 minutes after sunset 
July 15, 1996. 
 
  Issued in Austin, Texas, on May 9, 1996. 
 TRD-9606471 
  Bill Harvey 
 Regulatory Affairs Coordinator 
 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 
    Effective date: May 9, 1996 
 Expiration date: September 7, 1996 
 For further information, please call: (512) 389-4642