I am going to tell you again, what ever your name is. You stated I am not a turtle keeper. I am. So, you my friend are still a fool for even making the accusation that I am not. Don't come on here and tell me or anyone else what credentials you have. It makes no difference. I could also say I have a degree here or there and have done this or that. I don't care what you have done or where you studied. You are the one that posted about the proposed turtle ban, not me or anyone else. On top of that, you say that you do not even keep or breed turtles.
Don't tell me I am part of the problem. I am not. I do not catch and kill hundreds of turtles per year. On the contrary. I spend my extra time rehabbing and releasing animals at no cost to you or anybody else but myself.
Sustainable harvest of adult turtles is a joke and you know it. It is not sustainable period. It is a thought process that is overused and misunderstood when dealing with turtles. These are not deer or raccoons. Turtles are animals that can take 5-10 years to reach maturity.
You didn't imply anything. YOU SAID IT!!! Get your facts right. Travel to China and look what is for sale! I have, have you?
"...One of them is the pursuit of happiness." Yes, you are correct, as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others! So, by over harvesting turtle you are infringing on the rights of my children! So, your right for the pursuit of happiness cannot be achieved!
I am not embarrassing myself. I don't give a damn what anybody thinks about this issue. I am right, and if you don't agree with me I really don't care. I can see through what you are writing on this thread and in this particular forum and I understand where you stand politically. Freedom has nothing to do with destroying natural balances.
"Finally, if the demand is that strong for turtle meat then the captive production of turtle meat will become a reality."
IT IS!! Man, do you not know anything about the Asian wild animal markets? If not, then quit trying to debate me on this.
"This will require founder stock and harvest will be allowed (in a sustainable manner) to accomplish this."
THEY ALREADY HAVE FOUNDER STOCK! I have seen it first hand in Asia!! There are huge turtle farms throughout SE China and on Hainan Is.
"But you know who will get screwed out of this? The hobbyists, collectors and breeders that are not in the food game. That is who will get screwed. If commercial sale is banned then you are SOL."
No they wont. I am only proposing export bans. I didn't say anything about banning a hobbyist from keeping turtles. Maybe, instead of insulting my intelligence you should read what I wrote.
By the way. I can read. I can write. I can talk. And I can speak. I have lived in Europe, I know this hobby well enough to be able to make a sound judgment on what should be done. You do not seem to understand what I am talking about at all.

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