Salt Water Shrimp Law Enforcement: Its Evolution In Texas

The purpose of this paper is to show the results and the impact of the Texas Shrimp Conservation Act and the enforcement of shrimp laws in Texas. Enacted in 1959, it provides for open and closed seasons, sizes of shrimp, trawl and door sizes, licenses needed, and for the patrol and enforcement of the Act. It provides that all salt waters in Texas, wherever shrimp were found, would be patrolled both by aircraft and boat. This p!iper shows some ofthe problems experienced in the patrol activity, the type of boats and aircraft used, enforcement procedures and the results of these patrol activities on the Texas Coast from the year 1959 thru 1977.