Sec. 66.2161. SALE OR PURCHASE OF SHARK FINS. (a) In this section:

(1) "Shark" means any species of the subclass Elasmobranchii.

(2) "Shark fin" means the fresh and uncooked, or cooked, frozen, dried, or otherwise processed, detached fin or tail of a shark.

(b) A person may not buy or offer to buy, sell or offer to sell, possess for the purpose of sale, transport, or ship for the purpose of sale, barter, or exchange a shark fin regardless of where the shark was taken or caught.

(c) A person may buy or offer to buy, sell or offer to sell, possess for the purpose of sale, transport, or ship for the purpose of sale, barter, or exchange a shark carcass that retains all of its fins naturally attached to the carcass through some portion of uncut skin.

(d) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), the department may issue a permit for the possession, transport, sale, or purchase of shark fins for a bona fide scientific research purpose.

(e) When a person is charged with violating this section, the warden or other peace officer shall seize and hold the shark fin as evidence. Notwithstanding Section 12.109, on a final court ruling, the department shall destroy the shark fin.

(f) A person may possess a shark fin if:

(1) the person holds the appropriate state or federal license or permit authorizing the taking or landing of a shark for recreational or commercial purposes;

(2) the shark fin is taken from a shark that the person has taken or landed; and

(3) the shark fin is taken in a manner consistent with the person's license.

Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1254 (H.B. 1579), Sec. 2, eff. July 1, 2016.