Nice to be able to post a conservation win story-
Diamondback terrapins, popular Asian meat, now off limits
Associated Press July 15, 2016
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Diamondback terrapins, native turtles known for living in salty marshes along the coast and sometimes falling victim to auto traffic during the shore's busy summer months, can no longer be hunted or harvested in the state.
Republican Gov. Chris Christie on Friday signed legislation from the Democrat-controlled Legislature in response to a growing commercial market for terrapin meat, particularly in the Asian food market, where the meat is traditionally viewed as a symbol of longevity.
"Today we join other Atlantic coastal states that have taken an important step to prevent this unique species from any further decline toward extinction," Christie said in a statement. "The diamondback terrapin is a natural treasure and integral part of our coastal landscape in New Jersey, and this action will help to ensure the species remains a feature of our natural landscape for generations to come."
Though the terrapins have not been listed as endangered or threatened in New Jersey, the state Department of Environmental Protection considers their population to be decreasing. The DEP said it's planning an investigation into how many of them are left and what their habitat needs are.
Under previous law, the terrapins could be harvested in the winter months when they were hibernating, but the DEP ended the season early this year because of concerns over their populations.
It's not just the harvesting that's threatening the terrapins, though. The Wetlands Institute estimates that about 500 terrapins are killed by vehicles every year in Cape May County alone.
The causeways that connect the mainland to the barrier islands are ideal nesting areas, with plenty of sun. They also happen to be traffic-heavy areas that result in the creatures getting hit and killed by passing cars, Wetlands Institute research scientists Brian Williamson said.
Diamondback terrapins, popular Asian meat, now off limits
Associated Press July 15, 2016
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Diamondback terrapins, native turtles known for living in salty marshes along the coast and sometimes falling victim to auto traffic during the shore's busy summer months, can no longer be hunted or harvested in the state.
Republican Gov. Chris Christie on Friday signed legislation from the Democrat-controlled Legislature in response to a growing commercial market for terrapin meat, particularly in the Asian food market, where the meat is traditionally viewed as a symbol of longevity.
"Today we join other Atlantic coastal states that have taken an important step to prevent this unique species from any further decline toward extinction," Christie said in a statement. "The diamondback terrapin is a natural treasure and integral part of our coastal landscape in New Jersey, and this action will help to ensure the species remains a feature of our natural landscape for generations to come."
Though the terrapins have not been listed as endangered or threatened in New Jersey, the state Department of Environmental Protection considers their population to be decreasing. The DEP said it's planning an investigation into how many of them are left and what their habitat needs are.
Under previous law, the terrapins could be harvested in the winter months when they were hibernating, but the DEP ended the season early this year because of concerns over their populations.
It's not just the harvesting that's threatening the terrapins, though. The Wetlands Institute estimates that about 500 terrapins are killed by vehicles every year in Cape May County alone.
The causeways that connect the mainland to the barrier islands are ideal nesting areas, with plenty of sun. They also happen to be traffic-heavy areas that result in the creatures getting hit and killed by passing cars, Wetlands Institute research scientists Brian Williamson said.
