The FWC examines freshwater turtle harvests for future sustainability

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has formed a team to study and make recommendations on rules concerning freshwater turtle harvest.

There are restrictions on the harvest of several freshwater turtle species, but softshell turtles have no restrictions on their harvest, except during the closed season, May through July. Also during this closed season, their eggs may not be taken from the wild. Recent reports of increases in the harvest of these turtles have raised concern among turtle experts, environmentalists and the FWC.

The Center for Biological Diversity, the St. Johns Riverkeeper and the Center for Food Safety recently petitioned the FWC, Gov. Charlie Crist's office and the Florida Department of Health to enact an emergency ruling which would suspend the harvest of all freshwater turtles in Florida. The petition states unregulated commercial harvest is "rapidly depleting Florida's wild turtle populations" and cites a public health risk in consumption of turtles "contaminated with toxins and pollutants." The Center for Biological Diversity also filed the petition in Georgia, Okalahoma and Texas.

An emergency ruling would only be effective for 90 days, under Florida statute. Softshell turtle harvest is closed from May 1 to July 31, so a 90-day closure would only provide 30 additional days of protection. FWC biologists believe an emergency ruling would not resolve the issue and would provide only a temporary solution in any case.

"We have some protections in place for several species of turtles," said Ken Haddad, executive director of the FWC, "but we have indications that harvests have increased for other species. We must take a serious look at the sustainability of the freshwater turtles at current rate of harvest."

FWC turtle specialist, Bill Turner, said turtle harvests have increased in Florida as a result of demand from foreign markets and because Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina and Alabama have enacted laws prohibiting the commercial harvest of freshwater turtles.

"It is imperative we determine the best measures for ensuring sustainable use of turtles in Florida." Turner said.

As a result, the FWC staff has filed a rule development notice concerning the harvest of freshwater turtles and hopes to have a recommendation to present to its commissioners at the June meeting.

In addition to the closed season on harvesting softshell turtles and their eggs, river cooters may not be taken from April 15 to July 31. During these closed seasons, the FWC will be studying the situation, and FWC's Division of Law Enforcement will be extra diligent in enforcing the closed season, which is the breeding and nesting season for softshell turtles. The agency is also willing to consider an extension of the closed seasons if needed.

Restrictions are placed year-round on harvesting of turtles and possession of eggs of the following species: river cooters (two), alligator snapping turtles (one), loggerhead musk turtles (two), box turtles (two), Barbour's map turtles (two), Escambia River map turtles (two) and diamondback terrapins (two). Purchasing or selling turtle eggs collected from the wild is prohibited. Buying, selling, taking or possessing gopher tortoises is prohibited as well.