The Honorable
Virginia Clagett
160 Lowe House
Office Building
Dear Delegate Clagett:
Thank you for meeting
with me regarding amendments to House Bill 980.
The amendments will allow the Department to manage the terrapin resource
consistent with the 2001 Maryland Diamondback Terrapin Task Force report. Specifically, the Department will propose
regulations to reduce the commercial season to protect overwintering females,
modify size limits to further protect reproductive females, and establish a
limited entry permit system for the terrapin fishery. In addition, the Department plans to expand
requirements related to the use of turtle excluder devices in fishing gear and,
within 12 months of securing funding, Fisheries Service will prepare a draft
Terrapin Management Plan.
If you have any questions or need
assistance, please contact Howard King, Director of the Fisheries Service, via
email at hking@dnr.state.md.us,
or by calling 410-260-8281, or toll-free at 877-620-8367, extension 8281.
Sincerely,
Michael
E. Slattery
Assistant
Secretary
cc: Howard King, Director, Fisheries Service
Emily Wilson, Legislative Liaison