The Center for Biological Diversity has petitioned the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to end commercial trapping of the state’s wild freshwater turtles, stating the practice is unsustainable for turtle populations. Current Maryland law allows unlimited capture and sale of snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina), a policy the Center seeks to ban.
“Turtle trappers shouldn’t be allowed to profit off a practice that puts the state’s natural heritage at risk,” said Jenny Loda, an attorney and biologist at the Center. “Scientists know that even modest commercial trapping of freshwater turtles can lead to population crashes. For the sake of our native turtles, Maryland needs to rein in exploitative turtle trapping.” Common snapping turtles can be caught in unlimited numbers in Maryland. The Center notes that in 2007, Maryland banned commercial collection of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) and restricted snapping turtle trapping to tidal waters, also establishing a minimum size limit. However, citing a study from Virginia, the Center believes these laws are insufficient. “Commercial trapping is devastating to turtle populations that are already suffering from habitat loss, water pollution and vehicular collisions,” Loda said. “Maryland needs to take action now to keep its turtle populations from plummeting.” Wild-caught U.S. turtles are used for food and traditional medicine in Asia. The Center warns these turtles often bioaccumulate toxins from prey and contaminated sediment, making them unsafe for human consumption. The market for American turtles is large due to depleted native turtle populations in China and other Asian countries. SEBARTZ/SHUTTERSTOCK
