Dozens of Scientists Urge Arkansas to Ban Commercial Turtle Trapping
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission today received a letter signed by dozens of scientists supporting a ban on commercial trapping of wild freshwater turtles in the state.
A group of leading international freshwater turtle experts convened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature supports ending this unsustainable practice.
The state Game and Fish Commission is considering the trapping ban in response to a petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and Arkansas conservation groups in August 2017.
“Scientists and the world’s top turtle experts agree that Arkansas needs to ban commercial turtle trapping,” said Elise Bennett, a Center attorney who focuses on protecting reptiles and amphibians. “The commercial trapping ban will help ensure turtles are swimming through Arkansas’ waters for future generations to enjoy.”
Arkansas currently allows commercial trappers to take unlimited numbers of 14 varieties of turtle from waters across roughly half the state, including the entirety of the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers. According to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission harvest report records, 126,381 freshwater turtles were harvested from 2014 to 2016. The majority of these turtles were medium or large in size, and likely of breeding age.
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Photo from Dakota L..
