Reptile & Amphibian Forums

THIS WAS COPIED FROM THE GENERAL FORUM HERE:

Posted by: hollychan at Mon Jul 20 13:40:35 2009 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by hollychan ] Share

This came down the news wires today:

A ban on commercial harvesting of Florida's freshwater turtles takes effect today. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted last month to approve one of the nation's strongest measures to protect more than two dozen species.

Today (Monday) a historic ban on commercial harvesting of Florida's freshwater turtles takes effect.

The ban is considered the toughest rule on harvesting freshwater turtles in the nation.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the restrictions last month to protect more than two dozen species. Worldwide demand for turtles has grown so much, a lot of hunters turned to Florida to get their supply.

Turtle meat is considered a delicacy in Asian markets and the shell is used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Florida scientists were concerned the continued harvest of turtles at such a heavy rate would threaten their survival.

The new rule bans the commercial harvest and sale of freshwater turtles in Florida. It also prohibits the collection of turtle eggs.

Critics say the ban goes too far and gives turtles too much protection. State spokeswoman Pat Behnke disagrees.

"I think that anytime you're protecting species in Florida, we have some of the most precious and unique and abundant species in Florida, and anytime you're taking measures to conserve them, you're not going too far."

"Today is a historic day for Florida and its freshwater turtles because today goes into effect the most restrictive rules on harvest of freshwater turtles in the entire country."

Florida's turtle farms will be allowed to collect turtles for breeding for at least two years. The idea is to give farms the ability to develop their own stock and become self-sufficient.

"To try and develop enough turtles so they can be sustainable, that's going to be a sustainable industry. We want to see it going from taking freshwater turtles from the wild into these aquaculture facilities."

The new rule allows individuals to take one turtle a day from the wild for most species.

Behnke says the state's licensed turtle farms will be allowed to collect a limited number of some wild species to help them become self sustaining.
-----
Holly

Thanks Holly. Looks like the rule did go into effect.
jsc

-----
"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

Do we know yet how the new regs will affect hobbyists and breeders? What can be sent in or out of state now?

Katrina

I don't think this affects hobbyists and breeders at all-in fact collecting by hobbyists is still allowed in small numbers.
-----
Brad Chambers
WWW.HCU-TX.ORG

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

I would think the turtle ban on collecting which was a terrible plight on wild turtles would help breeders and even increase turtle farms because now you can only buy CB.

I know from a friend who has gone fishing in lakes,etc that he has seen turtles collected by the crate full . Traps are used than checked in few days.

Let the turtle farms now provide the Asian turtle market not the wild harvest.

The so called ban is very lax as is and should be made stricter .

The turtles in Florida with growing human population are becoming more and more limited as is.
Turtle farms which will be the outcome of this "ban" are the best thing that could happen to turtles.
Its a win win.

I suspect that the "licensed turtle farms" are/will be required to submit periodic inventory balance sheets and journals to Florida Fish and Wildlife.
The hobbyist will probably be held to the new single daily take/possession rule. They will probably have to get some sort of license to trade, as in "Hobbyist Grade Permit". Collections could be grandfathered in. Don't know what has been done as far as these details go.
Just guessing the intent of this law is primarily focused on exporting (out of Florida) facilities/entities.
Just my thoughts on the matter. Don't live in Florida and have no firsthand knowledge of the process. Just what I see in the press.
jsc
-----
"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

they'll still be selling babies outside of the Hilton hotel at the Daytona show.