(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) or (c) of this section, no person may engage in fishing in saltwater for sporting purposes in this state, or unload in this state fish or other aquatic life taken for sporting purposes from waters managed by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council established under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq.), unless the person has acquired a saltwater sportfishing stamp endorsement issued to the person by the department. The commission by rule may prescribe requirements relating to possessing a stamp endorsement required by this subchapter.
(b) A person who is exempted from obtaining a fishing license under Chapter 46 is not required to obtain a saltwater sportfishing stamp endorsement.