The Commission’s forthcoming study of Florida’s commercial blue crab fishery follows a large existing body of science regarding terrapin interactions with blue crab traps. ![]() “We commend the Commission for requiring bycatch reduction devices on recreational traps and are hopeful protections in the commercial fishery will follow.” Heinrich, executive director of the Florida Turtle Conservation Trust. “Requiring bycatch reduction devices on recreational and commercial blue crab traps is the single greatest action the Fish and Wildlife Commission can take to protect terrapins in Florida,” said George L. Experts agree that blue crab traps pose the greatest threat to the diamondback terrapin’s existence. Abandoned or lost traps, also called ghost traps, can capture terrapins by the dozen. These estuaries are also home to blue crabs, which are trapped in crab pots by an active blue crab fishery.īaited blue crab traps are known to trap and drown terrapins, while commercial fleets of traps are capable of steadily removing individual turtles until a population cannot sustain itself. This prohibition will help reduce the removal of adult terrapins from the wild and make it more difficult to poach and traffic the species.ĭiamondback terrapins, found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Massachusetts to Texas, are the only turtles in the world that live exclusively in coastal estuaries. The final rule also prohibits collecting terrapins from the wild and possessing them without a permit. In the meantime, this rule will give these beautiful turtles some protection from the more limited recreational fishery.” “We expect the Fish and Wildlife Commission to promptly revisit the issue once it completes its own study. “We’re so glad Florida is working to protect our terrapins, but that work isn’t done till the state addresses threats from the commercial blue crab fishery too,” said Elise Bennett, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity who focuses on protecting Florida wildlife. The Commission opted to postpone consideration of similar requirements in the commercial blue crab fishery until staff complete a study of terrapin interactions with the state’s commercial fishery. The rule requires owners of all recreational blue crab traps to reduce terrapin bycatch by using traps with rigid funnel entrances measuring no more than 2 x 6 inches or by installing bycatch reduction devices of the same size by March 1, 2023. If the pot or trap is constructed of nylon, polypropylene, or any other synthetic fiber mesh netting placed over the frame, the escape panel may be made by having a section of the mesh netting on the outside of the parlor section comprised of an untreated natural fiber which when rotten out or deteriorated will leave an opening of at least the size specified for an escape panel in this subdivision.TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- Following nearly two years of advocacy and a petition filed by conservationists and turtle experts, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a final rule today to protect diamondback terrapins from wild collection and drowning in recreational blue crab traps. At least three sides of the door or side panel must be unattached when the material degrades. The door or the side panel (which makes up the door) may serve as the escape panel if the door or side panel (which makes up the door), including any latching mechanism for the door, is fastened to the pot with the degradable materials listed above. Hinged panels shall be held in the closed position with either untreated, uncoated ferrous wire not more than three thirty-seconds of an inch in diameter or an untreated natural fiber such as cotton, sisal, hemp or manila not more than three-sixteenths of an inch in diameter. ![]() ![]() The panel shall be hinged in such a manner that upon degradation of the material keeping the panel closed, the panel is released to produce an opening which is not blocked or otherwise obstructed by the panel material. If the panel is constructed of any material other than untreated natural wood, it shall be hinged to open. If this panel is constructed of wood, it shall be untreated natural wood not more than three-eighths of an inch thick. (1) Crab pots or traps made of any material other than untreated natural wood shall contain on a side of the pot, but not the bottom, an escape panel, which when open, will provide an unobstructed oval or rectangular opening of not less than six by four inches in length and height.
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