UNOFFICIAL COPY OF HOUSE BILL 1565

M2 5lr2009

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By: Delegate V. Clagett

Introduced and read first time: March 7, 2005

Assigned to: Rules and Executive Nominations

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A BILL ENTITLED

1 AN ACT concerning

2 State Government - Diamondback Terrapin Day

3 FOR the purpose of establishing the commemorative Diamondback Terrapin Day to

4 fall on a certain date of each year.

5 BY adding to

6 Article - State Government

7 Section 13-405

8 Annotated Code of Maryland

9 (2004 Replacement Volume)

10 Preamble

11 WHEREAS, The current population status and general health of the

12 diamondback terrapin stock is unknown; and

13 WHEREAS, Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that the population is again

14 in decline due to reduced habitat, increasingly scattered nesting sites that are more

15 vulnerable to predators, increased harvests, by-catch from crab pots, and naturally

16 low reproductive rates; and

17 WHEREAS, The Department of Natural Resources is currently assessing the

18 population of the diamondback terrapin and enhancing and streamlining harvest

19 reporting requirements; and

20 WHEREAS, To support the viability of the diamondback terrapin, the

21 Department will propose: (1) reducing the harvest season from 9 to 3 months in order

22 to eliminate indirect by-catch during the warm feeding season and to facilitate

23 reporting requirements; (2) requiring and enforcing the use of devices on crab pots

24 designed to eliminate the by-catch of diamondback terrapins in tributaries; and (3)

25 reexamining its management and conservation efforts for the diamondback terrapin;

26 and

2 UNOFFICIAL COPY OF HOUSE BILL 1565

1 WHEREAS, Few native species are as unique and popular as the diamondback

2 terrapin, Maryland's official State reptile and the mascot for the University of

3 Maryland; now, therefore,

4 SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF

5 MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

6 Article - State Government

7 13-405.

8 THE GOVERNOR ANNUALLY SHALL PROCLAIM MAY 13 AS DIAMONDBACK

9 TERRAPIN DAY.

10 SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect

11 October 1, 2005.