Alabama bans turtle hunting to end supply to Asia
Source: Agencies |
April 8, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A NATIONWIDE effort to ban harvesting of freshwater American turtles to satisfy hungry Asian markets is gaining momentum, with Alabama this weekend prohibiting the collection of wild turtles and their eggs.
Asia has depleted its own turtle species and has been turning to the United States for its supply, said Jeff Miller, Conservation Advocate, Center for Biological Diversity.
The demand for turtle meat for food and medicine is voraciously consuming more than 2 million wild-caught freshwater turtles a year, Miller said.
Turtle hunters have been moving from state to state as regulations are passed to curtail turtle hunting. Maryland, Georgia, Florida, Texas, South Carolina and Oklahoma have stepped up regulations to protect turtle species, while Kentucky has started monitoring its populations, he said.
With surrounding states closing the door, Alabama has seen a surge in turtle harvesting, said Mark Sasser, Non-game Wildlife Coordinator, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
In response, Alabama has passed one of the toughest commercial harvesting bans on wild turtles and their eggs on public and private lands, which goes into effect today, Sasser said. All turtle harvesting permits were canceled in the state.
"Turtles are important to our ecosystem and we want to protect them," Sasser said.
The ban does not cover turtle farmers, who raise hatchlings for the pet market or for food.
Asia has depleted its own turtle species and has been turning to the United States for its supply, said Jeff Miller, Conservation Advocate, Center for Biological Diversity.
The demand for turtle meat for food and medicine is voraciously consuming more than 2 million wild-caught freshwater turtles a year, Miller said.
Turtle hunters have been moving from state to state as regulations are passed to curtail turtle hunting. Maryland, Georgia, Florida, Texas, South Carolina and Oklahoma have stepped up regulations to protect turtle species, while Kentucky has started monitoring its populations, he said.
With surrounding states closing the door, Alabama has seen a surge in turtle harvesting, said Mark Sasser, Non-game Wildlife Coordinator, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
In response, Alabama has passed one of the toughest commercial harvesting bans on wild turtles and their eggs on public and private lands, which goes into effect today, Sasser said. All turtle harvesting permits were canceled in the state.
"Turtles are important to our ecosystem and we want to protect them," Sasser said.
The ban does not cover turtle farmers, who raise hatchlings for the pet market or for food.
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