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 code. [Brackets] indicate deletion of existing material within a section. TITLE 31. NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION PART II. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department CHAPTER 58.Oysters and Shrimp SUBCHAPTER B.Statewide Shrimp Fishery Proclamation 31 TAC sec.58.161 The Texas Parks and Wildlife department amends on an emergency basis sec.58.161 (d)(2)(A), concerning provisions for a earlier or later opening 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 optimum migration of small brown shrimp from the bays to the Gulf of Mexico will occur earlier than the established July 15 regulatory opening date. Sound biological data indicate that most of the shrimp on the Gulf fishing grounds will be of satisfactory size to achieve maximum benefits from the resource on July 8, 1998. 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 season closed 30 minutes after sunset May 15, 1998. The executive director finds imminent peril to the public welfare which requires an emergency measure to set an opening date to minimize social and economic hardship in a depressed industry by opening the season seven days earlier than scheduled to obtain optimum yield from the resource. The amendment is adopted on an emergency basis under authority of Parks and Wildlife Code sec.77.062, and 31 TAC sec.58.161 (d)(2)(A). 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.58.161.Shrimping in Outside Waters. (a)-(c) (No change.) (d) Gulf shrimping seasons. The outside waters are open to shrimping except: (1) (No change.) (2) Summer closed season: (A) The outside waters are closed from 30 minutes after sunset on May 15 to 30 minutes after sunset July 8
    [July 15]. (B)-(C) (No change.) (3)-(4) (No change.) Issued in Austin, Texas on July 8, 1998. TRD-9810791 Bill Harvey, Ph.D. Regulatory Coordinator Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Effective date: July 8, 1998 Expiration date: November 5, 1998 For further information, please call: (512) 389-4642