State Water Shark limit

[Robalo]

I know the size limits for State Waters but wanted to know if it is one shark per boat-like Federal Waters or is it per person in the boat in State Waters?

I called TPWD and "Dee" said one per person, not per boat but she fumbled around and took awhile to answer-I don't think she knew the answer for certain.

What is the answer-onme per boat or one per person in State Waters?

Thanks!

[Reef Drifter]

Per person

[Ibtsoom]

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_v3400_1162.pdf

Per Person

[WestEndAngler]

Also, to retain a shark in federal waters you must possess a HMS permit.

[Gilbert]

one per person in state waters and then what coe said for fed waters.

[Robalo]

Thanks all. I appreciate the clarifications!

[Swells]

I'm no fish lawyer but I think if you have an offshore Highly Migratory Species permit, you're S.O.L. in state waters. The HMS goes with the boat. I know the charter boys have to worry about this kind of thing, as several have gotten busted such as for shark. If all you have is a TPWD fishing license, no HMS, no chartering offshore in federal waters, it's one per person landed per day. Most shark fishermen might keep a shark if it dies - or if it bites ya. BBQ shark tacos ain't bad if you slap the meat silly with spices and hot sauce.

[Robalo]

Thanks Swells-that makes sense with what I was told by some offshore guys-I asked about State Waters and they said 1 per boat and mentioned HMS permit-we aint using a HMS permit-fishing the Pass for "Big Fish" in a oil tourney, so I needed confirmation as to what I was told (1 per boat period versus TPWD rules) and your post clears it up quite well (as did Coe for his HMS Permit post).

Thanks!!!

[Swells]

You got some good people over here - I'm just a South Texas mullet-haid!

[dbarham]

one per person in state waters and then what coe said for fed waters.

Jr warden

[Tiny]

I'm no fish lawyer but I think if you have an offshore Highly Migratory Species permit, you're S.O.L. in state waters. The HMS goes with the boat. I know the charter boys have to worry about this kind of thing, as several have gotten busted such as for shark. If all you have is a TPWD fishing license, no HMS, no chartering offshore in federal waters, it's one per person landed per day. Most shark fishermen might keep a shark if it dies - or if it bites ya. BBQ shark tacos ain't bad if you slap the meat silly with spices and hot sauce.

Negative Batman, The Local State GWs could care less if you have a permit or not, if you are in state waters, fishing with an HMS permit or not you can retain 1 shark per person.

Blacktip, Atlantic Sharpnose, Bonnethead - 24" Minimum, 1 per person
All others (Basically for this area, Bull, Tiger, Scalloped Hammer, Greater Hammer, Sandbar, Spinner and Lemon)- 64" minimum, 1 per person

Flip side is, who the hell would want more than one big shark over 64"?? You gotta hurry up and gut that sucker and get him on ice or back to the ramp and cleaned before the meat goes bad.

Offshore, past 9 miles... don't get caught coming back in with any shark without an HMS permit, and not more than one in the boat, Except for Atlantic Sharpnose and Bonnethead, which is one per person... But not worth a dammn to eat anyways, so why the hell would you keep them???

[WestEndAngler]

Louanne marinated that darn thing for over 2 months! It was tough as hell but we still ate it!

[Swells]

Tiny I don't think you are right because I know of some charter guys who got busted for it. The TPWD game wardens can enforce federal rules if they want to and that's in the state law. Whether they do or not is up to them. Most don't except for red snapper season. You're more likely to get a fine for bad snapper or a not-tagged oversize red, I agree, like $500.

[sfef84]

I asked about an HMS permit for shark at the TPWD office last year and they had no clue! You can buy one online for $20 and print the permit on your printer via https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/PermitList.asp

Takes 2 minutes.

[sfef84]

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/regulations/fish_hunt/fish/saltwater_limits.phtml