Is it illegal to collect sea grass of any kind in Texas. (1 Viewer)

[Johnny Max]

They say on forums that it is illegal to collect any sea grasses, unless you find them floating up on the beach, but I cannot find anywhere, where it states that.

There is a law in Texas that says that it is illegal to uproot, or disturb any sea grasses with a propeller.
I have read the law thoroughly. It is specifically referring to uprooting plants with a propeller.

I want to collect a few plants, but I do not want to violate the law!

 

[Erin]

I'd ask here... Link

 

[Johnny Max]

I'd ask here... Link

I submitted the question to the link you posted.
Funny, the link was removed on the forum, but it was visible in the email notification, so I was able to go to it.
I searched and where I was going to go is designated a refuge. You can fish, but no netting even, so I am not going to a refuge.
There is a reason they designated it a refuge!
I have identified another location from satelite images to try, if they say it is ok.

 

[Erin]

I submitted the question to the link you posted.
Funny, the link was removed on the forum, but it was visible in the email notification, so I was able to go to it.
I searched and where I was going to go is designated a refuge. You can fish, but no netting even, so I am not going to a refuge.
There is a reason they designated it a refuge!
I have identified another location from satelite images to try, if they say it is ok.

Sounds good.
(Btw, the link works fine for me)

 

[Johnny Max]

Sounds good.
(Btw, the link works fine for me)

I am dumb.... It worked for me...

 

[sneezebeetle]

Many Many Many moons ago during our club collection trips we would go to an area where there was sea grass to collect shrimp. One of our former members (and Neptune hobbyist of the year runner up) had made it his mission to spread the word and try and protect that area. It was the only spot in Galveston bay that it would grow. I would check with Galveston Bay preservation groups, they would likely know for sure.

 

[sneezebeetle]

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department: Seagrass

This site describes general seagrass information and concerns and efforts regarding protection and restoration of seagrass along Texas Coast

tpwd.texas.gov

 

[Johnny Max]

Many Many Many moons ago during our club collection trips we would go to an area where there was sea grass to collect shrimp. One of our former members (and Neptune hobbyist of the year runner up) had made it his mission to spread the word and try and protect that area. It was the only spot in Galveston bay that it would grow. I would check with Galveston Bay preservation groups, they would likely know for sure.

I do know that you cannot remove plants from State Parks and I just assume the same for a reserve (although it does not say you can't.)
I had already read all the regulations, including the one you linked.
Regulations that were passed into law are only in reference to disturbing sea grass beds with propellers.
I am waiting for the TPWD to get back to me.
I am sure they are taking so long, because they are looking for a law, or regulation that says I can't.
But, I do not believe there is one...
I have been reading and searching everything for a while now. I asked here, because I could not find any regulations.
But I don't want to be the reason others decimate the sea grass beds!
I don't want to either....

The location I am looking at is in a pass to the West and not in Galveston Bay.

 

[Johnny Max]

The TPWD never got back to me and it said my question was assigned.
I have read all the regulations and as a Texas citizen, the are no laws, or regulations prohibiting me from collecting marine aquatic plants. Other than from a State Park. It does not even state you cannot in a refuge. But, I am not going to a State Park or refuge.
Maybe they did not answer my question because they are so busy.

 

[Johnny Max]

Minor success on my field trip. Tide is always an issue though. I need to buy a kayak! I did not locate shoal grass. But, I found some type of green algae mixed in with the sargassum. Along with a few pipefish and what looks like a tiny spider crab. Only 1/4" in size. Fun day. I am on the Galveston Ferry heading home. Water was not clear enough to snorkel. I tried. I will post the green algae when I get home as a new thread to see if anyone can identify it.

 

[reeftopia]

Hope the sargassum comes in strong this year been a long time but use to be fun collecting in it years ago

 

[Johnny Max]

Hope the sargassum comes in strong this year been a long time but use to be fun collecting in it years ago

There was not hardly any. That is why I had to scoop it up in a corner. They are predicting it to be bad in Florida, but not Texas so much. There are websites that track it, even via satellite. Google it.

 

[Johnny Max]

Here is my conversation with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department about collecting any Sea Grasses in Texas.

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Me: Is it ok to collect a few saltwater aquatic plants to put in an aquarium if they are not located in a State Park or designated refuge?

TPWD: Thanks for contacting us. You may collect plants from saltwater as long as its not in a State Park, Coastal Management Area (which includes Follets Island CMA in Brazoria County; and Matagorda Peninsula CMA in Matagorda County), or other designated (e.g., federal) refuges. However, you may not uproot seagrass as an aquatic plant as that is illegal.

Me: Is it state or federal law that prohibits collecting any sea grass? I found a place in florida that sells it. It that legal. I do know that it is illegal to uproot sea grasses in texas with a propeller.
Some people in corpus say they find it washed up after a storm.

TPWD: Thanks. It is a state law that you can not uproot seagrass and applies to boating. Collection and possession are not illegal - just the act of uprooting. I would strongly advise against uprooting seagrass yourself until you have spoken with a local game warden to confirm. You may find their contact information online at www.tpwd.texas.gov/warden.
Thanks again.

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They were not clear, but they did confirm what I understood, and that was that the laws that prohibit the uprooting of sea grass is specific to "Uprooting with a boat propeller."
I am relieved that is it legal to posses sea grass. I am thinking about trying to acquire some and try to grow it in a tank outside. For propagation purposes That is what they do at that site in Florida and they are active in helping to preserve the sea grass beds by educating the public. I want to support them in their efforts.

 

[Reefahholic]

I definitely wouldn’t do it in a park, but in the middle of nowhere I don’t see an issue especially since you’re not getting a pallet full. I don’t think anybody will care as long as it’s minimal and not causing erosion or damaging the wetlands. Have you see the black mangroves yet? Those are my favorites. Even in freezing temps, many can still come back from the base, even after they look completely dead for months.

 

[Reefahholic]

My buddies in Corpus have some wild Red’s that float in from time to time. There was a massive tree growing in the middle of the bay at one point. Wish I could find that pic. They’re very sensitive to cold weather though. There were a group of people that planted several down in padre. The cold finally got them. I had two beautiful plants planted off the beltway and 45, but they finally got mowed down by a stinking tractor.