True enough about the Asian species being eaten into extinction.
That is another BIG problem apart of the consumption of DBTs here in the US.
What frustrates me HERE is that we have laws which strictly govern, how, when, what size and how many dbts can be harvested. I see these restrictions violated on a regular basis and nothing ever seems to get done about it.
There are supposed to be these safeguards in place. I have seen vast numbers of diamond backs way over the legal size (never under) sitting in these markets.
Though eating turtle may be unappealing to most of us (myself included) there are options available to those who insist in this practice.
The Chinese softshells in these markets are all farmed raised and the sliders are as well.
Why destroy wild populations?
So, (at least in the US) I think they need to try and nip this thing in the bud at the harvesting level first and then work on the cultural thing. (and again it does stem further than just Asian people eating consuming the diamondbacks). Ally snappers, Northern Redbellies and many other turtles end up being harvested from the wild and shoved in a stew pot.
One organization I work with even rescued a North American wood turtle from being served up in a stew.
If we figure out a way to curtail the wild harvesting we can at least (like it or not) keep the consumption of turtle for food, medicinals and whatever else restricted to prolific FARM RAISED species (like red eared sliders).
We as turtle lovers may find THAT objectionable as well but would it be any worse than eating a chicken or cow or any other FARM RAISED creature? At least wild populations would not be hurt by this practice.
