TPW Commission Approves Changes to Saltwater Fishing Regulations for 2023–24
March 23, 2023
Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030
Note: This item is more than a year old. Please take the publication date into consideration for any date references.
AUSTIN – On March 23, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved all the proposed changes to the saltwater fishing regulations. These changes are focused on matching federal regulations to streamline both enforcement and compliance issues.
The following changes to the 2023–24 Statewide Recreational Fishing Proclamation have been adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission:
- Add shortfin mako to the list of prohibited shark species for recreational and commercial fishing;
- Require anglers to use descending devices when a fish exhibits signs of barotrauma and match federal DESCEND Act requirements;
- Lower the bag limit for cobia to one fish per day per angler for recreational and commercial fisheries.
The changes to the 2023–24 Statewide Recreational Fishing regulations take effect on Sept. 1.