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State Needs Tougher Rules To Protect Softshell Turtles

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 8, 2008

Gov. Charlie Crist, who successfully fought plans to take the manatee of the state's endangered list last year, is once again using his influence on behalf of an imperiled Florida creature. This time the softshell turtle.

Crist is urging the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to ban harvesting of turtles. The commission should comply.

The governor's stand isn't based on emotion. Nearly three-dozen scientists provided compelling evidence the softshell turtle needs stronger protections, including an outright ban on commercial harvesting.

The scientists' research shows the huge demand in Asia, especially China, for turtle meat and medicine made from the reptile has "systematically and sequentially wiped out" most of the wild turtles there. As a result, foreign countries are turning to Florida to meet the market demand.

The state shouldn't allow other countries to endanger our wildlife after they have recklessly wiped out their own species.

As the scientists note, the softshell turtle isn't just an animal; it is an important part of the state's natural heritage.

The numbers are appalling. Consider the report contained in FWC's own law enforcement intelligence bulletin in March: 1,600 pounds to 3,000 pounds of live turtle are transported out of Tampa every week, and it's believed similar amounts are being flown weekly out of other major cities in the state.

Continued carnage would soon put the softshell near extinction. Wild softshell turtles can take up to a decade to mature sexually and only an estimated one in 100 eggs survives, mainly because they become food for other wildlife.

Regulators claim most of the turtles being shipped are farm raised. But scientists are skeptical. The total weight of live turtles being shipped is much too high. Farm hatchlings weigh only about one-third ounce each, and farmers usually do not raise the hatchlings to the point where they're ready to be used as meat. This supports the scientists' belief that the wild turtle population is being targeted.

A restriction enacted in September limits commercial harvesters and fisherman to 20 softshell turtles a day. There had been no limits previously. Still, that number remains far too high.

The scientists also make a solid case for reducing to one-a-day per person the recreational take of live turtles. It's a reasonable limit considering the evidence that the wild turtle population is in jeopardy.

The FWS was correct last year to comply with Crist's defense of the manatee, and the agency has done a good job protecting gopher tortoises and other vulnerable creatures. But commissioners should make sure the softshell turtle continues to be a symbol of natural Florida, not another symbol of abuse and neglect.

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