SC passing new turtle regulations

[JustAnja]

Might want to pass this on.

http://www.pijac.org/files/public/SC_HB_4392.pdf

[Josh]

from the PDF

Quote:The Impact.
House Bill 4392 would make it unlawful to buy, sell, offer for sale or offer to buy the following
species of turtles:

• Yellowbelly Turtles (Trachemys scripta)
• Florida Cooter (Pseudemys Floridian)
• River Cooter (Pseudemys concinna)
• Chicken Turtle (Deirchelys reticularia)
• Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)
• Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera)
• Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox), and
• Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentine).

Also, a person would not be allowed to possess (not buy or sell) more than five of each of the named
species above and more than 15 turtles of a combination of the species listed above without a permit
issued by the Department of Natural Resources. Anyone found in violation of these laws will be
guilty of a misdemeanor and if convicted will receive a $250 fine. Each turtle bought, sold or
possessed in violation of this law constitutes a separate offense.

These restrictions do not apply to the Yellowbelly turtle and the common snapping turtle if they were
taken from a private pond that is a permitted aquaculture facility.

thats a steep fine! do we have any registered South Carolinians?

[JustAnja]

I cant think of anyone right off hand but we might. I just wish they had included Eastern Box Turtles on that list since they seem to be the most collected of all the SC native turtles.

[jenrell23]

WOW!! What a fine, but it is good, help protect the turtles and tortoises, I agree with you Angie, the shuld add Eastern Boxies to that list.

[egyptiandan]

The other thing is, if they don't add subspecies, that list covers an extra 14 turtles that are subspecies of those species listed.
This has got to be in response to the Chinese buying our turtles to eat. They must have moved on to SC from Texas.

Danny

[wayne.bob]

hefty fine