New Law Restricts Turtle Harvest

July 21, 2009

Taking more than one freshwater turtle per day per person in Florida is now illegal. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission this summer voted on a new rule to ban their taking following reports of large harvests of turtles by people who were selling them into the Asian market, where turtle meat is prized.

“We determined there was the possibility the species could not withstand the pressure from unchecked harvest,” said Tim Breault, director of the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation. “This new rule will conserve Florida’s diverse turtle population in perpetuity.”

Individuals will be allowed to take one freshwater turtle per day per person from the wild for noncommercial use. People cannot transport more than one turtle per day. The rule prohibits taking turtles from the wild that are listed on Florida’s imperiled species list. Individuals cannot take species that look similar to the imperiled species; these include common snapping turtles and cooters. In addition, the ban includes collecting freshwater turtle eggs.

The closed season for the take of softshell turtles, May 1 to July 31, will not change under the new rule. For more information on the new rule, go to MyFWC.com.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News