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DNR
Receives Approval For Diamondback Terrapin
Conservation Regulations
New Regulations took effect August
1
“DNR is proud to have
developed these regulations that will further support the protection and
conservation of one of
The approved regulatory measures,
which became effective August 1, are intended to reduce the commercial harvest
of diamondback terrapins until a more comprehensive population assessment and
management plan is completed. The regulations shorten the commercial season for
harvesting diamondback terrapins from 9 months to a 3-month period of August 1
through October 31. This season restriction will provide continued protection
during the spawning period and added protection by also prohibiting harvest
during the overwintering period when terrapins become more vulnerable to
harvest as they congregate in areas known as the hibernacula.
The regulatory measures
also include a slot limit for which the harvest of diamondback terrapins
smaller than 4 inches and larger than 7 inches is prohibited. The 4- to 7- inch
slot limit is designed to protect and conserve reproducing female terrapins, a
crucial component in the population dynamics of terrapins. Unlike striped bass
and blue crabs, which mature early in life and are capable of producing millions
of eggs annually, diamondback terrapins have a late maturity schedule (8 to 13
years of age) and produce few eggs, between 13 and 39, annually. The protection
of large female diamondback terrapins should significantly increase their
annual reproductive potential in the coming years.
“The scientific community
is pleased with these regulations and feel they are an important step towards
improved terrapin conservation and management,” said Willem Roosenburg,
Associate Professor of Biological Sciences and a Terrapin Researcher at
In addition, commercial
fishermen who want to harvest diamondback terrapins must now obtain a permit
from DNR in advance. Anyone commercially harvesting diamondback terrapins is
subject to mandatory reporting. This new permit requirement will improve the
quality of data obtained from the commercial fishery, and facilitate future
assessments and management decisions.
Though these regulations
focus on reducing the commercial harvest of diamondback terrapins, there is
strong recognition that the diamondback terrapin faces significant threats due
to habitat loss. Sandy beach habitat is essential for nesting, and near-shore
estuarine marshes provide necessary habitat for juvenile refuge and feeding.
The loss and degradation of shoreline habitat significantly affects the ability
for terrapins to nest successfully, and has resulted in increased predation of
nests and hatchlings. The protection of sandy beach and near-shore habitat is
critical to the conservation of diamondback terrapins. In addition, terrapins
can be drowned by swimming into recreational crab pots in the tributaries.
Waterfront owners should be reminded to use non-structural shoreline protection
methods to provide beach habitat and use the mandatory turtle excluder devices
in recreational crab pots.
The U. S. Geological
Survey is conducting a survey of terrapins Bay-wide that will provide better
biological information on the status of populations in various areas. The
Department is also working to develop a management plan for diamondback
terrapins. If necessary, this work and the improved reporting information will
enable managers to make regional adjustments in future regulations.
The
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible
for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and
visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles
of waterways, along with