New York State just proposed to end the commercial terrapin harvest, and they need to hear from you if they are to proceed.
Terrapins in NYS are under pressure from pollution, habitat destruction, vehicle strikes entanglement in fishing gear (crab traps) and over collection.
In New York State Terrapins are quickly disappearing in areas where they recently were common.
Now is our chance to get at least one of those threats off the table for NYS terrapins.
This will slow down the pressure on the NYS population so solutions for the other threats can be developed and implemented.
Mail your comments on why you agree that NYS should end the commercial harvest of Terrapins by June 9, 2017 to
Michael Schiavone
NYSDEC
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-4750
or email them to him at: [email protected]
For more information about the proposed rule go to (http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/34113.html#Parts_31_and_32).
Please remember to include any titles and affiliations, with your signatures.
Please distribute this to any one you know might be interested. Post via social media. Help get the word out.
If you were one of the 60 scientists in December who wrote to NYS DEC please do so again, agreeing and congratulating on their proposed action.
_______________________________________________________________The press release from The Center for Biological Diversity
New York State Proposes End to Commercial Terrapin Harvest
Coastal Turtles Threatened by Habitat Loss, Entanglement in Fishing Gear, Harvest Pressure
ALBANY, N.Y.— In response to advocacy from the Center for Biological Diversity, turtle experts and other conservation organizations, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today proposed a rule to end commercial harvest of diamondback terrapins. If the rule is finalized, New York will join nearly every other state in the terrapin’s range in putting an end to the unsustainable practice.
“I’m so pleased to see New York take this critical step toward protecting diamondback terrapins,” said Elise Bennett, a Center attorney dedicated to protecting rare reptiles and amphibians. “The deck is stacked against terrapins, but taking trapping off the table may give these turtles a fighting chance.”
Diamondback terrapins, which are found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, are the only North American turtles that live exclusively along coasts, where fresh water meets the sea. Terrapins play a key role in coastal ecosystems because they eat salt marsh periwinkle snails, which can become overpopulated and devour the marsh grasses that protect shorelines and sustain wildlife. But the terrapins are struggling against threats from habitat loss, entanglement in fishing gear, vehicle strikes, pollution and overcollection.
In December 2016 more than 60 scientists signed a letter in support of a proposed rule to end the commercial harvest of the terrapins, explaining that the practice harms terrapins’ precarious populations. New York currently allows trappers with diamondback terrapin licenses to take unlimited numbers of terrapins during a nine-month open season from August through April. The proposed rule would close the open season on terrapins and add them to a list of native turtles that may not be harvested.
“Diamondback terrapins are exceptional treasures, more precious than their namesake gems,” said Bennett. “So it’s important to safeguard these turtles for future generations.”
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is accepting public comments on today’s proposal until June 9. The final rule would become effective May 5, 2018.
Terrapins in NYS are under pressure from pollution, habitat destruction, vehicle strikes entanglement in fishing gear (crab traps) and over collection.
In New York State Terrapins are quickly disappearing in areas where they recently were common.
Now is our chance to get at least one of those threats off the table for NYS terrapins.
This will slow down the pressure on the NYS population so solutions for the other threats can be developed and implemented.
Mail your comments on why you agree that NYS should end the commercial harvest of Terrapins by June 9, 2017 to
Michael Schiavone
NYSDEC
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-4750
or email them to him at: [email protected]
For more information about the proposed rule go to (http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/34113.html#Parts_31_and_32).
Please remember to include any titles and affiliations, with your signatures.
Please distribute this to any one you know might be interested. Post via social media. Help get the word out.
If you were one of the 60 scientists in December who wrote to NYS DEC please do so again, agreeing and congratulating on their proposed action.
_______________________________________________________________The press release from The Center for Biological Diversity
New York State Proposes End to Commercial Terrapin Harvest
Coastal Turtles Threatened by Habitat Loss, Entanglement in Fishing Gear, Harvest Pressure
ALBANY, N.Y.— In response to advocacy from the Center for Biological Diversity, turtle experts and other conservation organizations, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today proposed a rule to end commercial harvest of diamondback terrapins. If the rule is finalized, New York will join nearly every other state in the terrapin’s range in putting an end to the unsustainable practice.
“I’m so pleased to see New York take this critical step toward protecting diamondback terrapins,” said Elise Bennett, a Center attorney dedicated to protecting rare reptiles and amphibians. “The deck is stacked against terrapins, but taking trapping off the table may give these turtles a fighting chance.”
Diamondback terrapins, which are found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, are the only North American turtles that live exclusively along coasts, where fresh water meets the sea. Terrapins play a key role in coastal ecosystems because they eat salt marsh periwinkle snails, which can become overpopulated and devour the marsh grasses that protect shorelines and sustain wildlife. But the terrapins are struggling against threats from habitat loss, entanglement in fishing gear, vehicle strikes, pollution and overcollection.
In December 2016 more than 60 scientists signed a letter in support of a proposed rule to end the commercial harvest of the terrapins, explaining that the practice harms terrapins’ precarious populations. New York currently allows trappers with diamondback terrapin licenses to take unlimited numbers of terrapins during a nine-month open season from August through April. The proposed rule would close the open season on terrapins and add them to a list of native turtles that may not be harvested.
“Diamondback terrapins are exceptional treasures, more precious than their namesake gems,” said Bennett. “So it’s important to safeguard these turtles for future generations.”
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is accepting public comments on today’s proposal until June 9. The final rule would become effective May 5, 2018.
