Madame Chair and Members of the Committee, thank you for this opportunity to appear before you.  My name is Marguerite Whilden and I am co-founder of the Terrapin Institute and Research Consortium, Inc.  House Bill 980 proposes to prohibit the commercial harvest and trade of diamondback terrapins in Maryland.  I believe this measure is urgent and request your expediency in approval and immediate enforcement.  Commercial exploitation of the diamondback must stop and we need you to make that happen.  Specifically, this legislation is necessary for the following reasons: 

History proves that wild diamondback terrapin stocks are not compatible with commercial harvest.  At the turn of the century, over a brief period of intensive commercial harvest, Maryland’s terrapin industry and wild population crashed.  At that time, there was one quarter the human population, abundant terrapin habitat, and a relatively healthy Chesapeake Bay.  Today, we have five times the human population, one fourth the terrapin habitat, and a severely degraded Chesapeake Bay.  Even under the best conditions, wild terrapin stocks do not tolerate commercial harvest.[i]  If we expect to see terrapins much longer, it is urgent for the legislature to take immediate action.    

A moratorium on commercial terrapin harvests is the primary recommendation of the 2001 Governor’s Diamondback Terrapin Task Force.   A team of stakeholders, educators, students, and ecologists classified the commercial harvest as the most detrimental threat to terrapin populations. We know the species is declining and we know the threats to the species are many.[ii]  Most of these threats are difficult to mitigate or enforce.[iii] The commercial harvest of terrapins can be addressed immediately, with the greatest amount of compliance and with least amount of economic impact or hardship. 

There is no estimate of wild terrapin stocks in the Chesapeake Bay.  Population estimates are essential to proper fisheries management.  If no one knows how many terrapins remain in the Chesapeake Bay, we cannot allow a harvest.  Since 2001, nearly a million dollars in public funds have been allocated for assessing the terrapin in Maryland.[iv]  Although an official estimate is not available, preliminary data suggests we are already in trouble.[v]  The remnant terrapin population will not survive much more research and assessment.  It seems the more money we spend on a species, the faster it disappears.  This time, we are not asking for more money, just more terrapins.  This measure does not require more money and we are concerned that additional research may stress the species further.    

The commercial harvest and trade of terrapins is poorly understood and largely unknown.  What we think we know is not accurate; we have failed to utilize existing data; and we have failed to gather applicable data.  Maryland’s practices are inconsistent with neighboring states and may be creating enforcement or poaching problems, particularly in New York and Virginia.[vi]  There has been no attempt to validate the fishing mortalities from directed harvest, locations and methods of harvesting, extent of the trade, economy, or potential market.  The agency reports that only ten watermen are taking terrapins.[vii]  The agency fails to account for the 2000 watermen who are eligible to harvest terrapins.[viii]  For nine months of the year as many as 2000 harvesters may take as many terrapins as they wish.  The only restriction is market demand and that appears to be endless.[ix]  If all 2000 eligible watermen chose to harvest terrapins as a “fill in” income during slow periods, Maryland’s terrapin could disappear in a heartbeat and no one would know.  The Terrapin Institute’s investigation reveals inconsistencies in agency data.  Between 2003 and 2004, official accounts from dealers indicate a 400% increase in terrapin trade, up from 2622 to 10,373 in one year.[x]  The fisheries audits of dealers and harvesters required by law are not available and not distributed to watermen or the industry.[xi]  Without proper guidance, the individual waterman has no idea of his impact on the resource or how many other watermen are taking terrapins.  The Maryland Watermen’s Association states it does not wish to drive the resource to extinction.  But, the fishing industry cannot regulate itself and would not know if or when terrapin stocks are about to collapse.[xii]  Based on the available information, the Terrapin Institute could easily compensate the harvesters and dealers currently reporting to DNR.[xiii]  No one will suffer economic loss by this closure.  Again, we don’t need public money to save this species; we just need you to take it off the market.  The Terrapin Institute will make the necessary reparation to the commercial fishing industry.   

The commercial terrapin trade is incompatible with our proclaimed regard for our natural heritage.   The majority of the Maryland public is unaware that its mascot is harvested as seafood or that terrapins are shipped live and kept alive until sold to the consumer for a mere $5 to $10.[xiv]  Few of us know the longevity of these animals, their remarkable qualities, or unique biological abilities.  Only in abundant numbers can we fully appreciate all this animal can do for us.  It may hold the secrets to medical advancements, human aging, healing, and fertility.  Based on the Terrapin Institute’s independent assessment of over 5000 harvested terrapins, many are 30 years old.  How a creature survives this long under such dire conditions is astounding.  But these old specimens are fewer.  Increasingly more of the harvest are younger and smaller, and have not reproduced.  In my experience, the commercial harvest is indiscriminate; some are under sized; some are veterans over five pounds; some I have purchased three times; almost all are females.  I know they are a determined species; at least four released in the South River were recovered, six months later, alive and well in the Honga River.  I am most intrigued by the terrapin’s tolerance, persistence, and venerability.  It is the Cal Ripkin of the Chesapeake’s wild kingdom.  No manager, sports writer, or fan had the audacity to tell Cal Ripkin to sit down.  Likewise, no one should be allowed the arrogance to take out the terrapin.  If we hope to preserve the watermen’s heritage, we can’t lose sight of our natural heritage.  Given the spectacle we’ve made of the terrapin and the public investment in restoring its shoreline habitat, it seems absurd to condone the deliberate removal of this species.  Why would the State and the commercial fishing industry jeopardize their reputations or tempt another crisis?  This animal is an ancient mariner, a cornerstone to our natural heritage, and has become the Face of Restoration.  What the eagle is to our Nation, the venerable terrapin is to Maryland.  We were once called the Terrapin State; our team in the Federal League was the Baltimore Terrapins.  During our fight for independence, the terrapin was often the only sustenance available to the troops.  We need to return the favor and FREE THE TURTLE.  We are a prosperous State; no longer are we a chief purveyor of tobacco and should no longer be the chief purveyor of terrapins. We use this species to promote conservation and stewardship among school children and adults; we use it to market our athletic prowess and academic achievement, it is used to persuade Marylanders to donate on their income tax forms.[xv]  It is hypocritical to use and revere this species and not preserve the abundance or the legend of the wild population.  By simply taking it off the market, we can save this species and I will have more confidence in our commitment and ability to save the rest of the Bay.  Thank you again for this opportunity to appear before you.  The Terrapin Institute would greatly appreciate a favorable report from the Committee.  I am prepared to answer any questions you may have.