Adopted by the CCA MD Executive Board,
Diamondback Terrapin – The Department of Natural Resources has implemented a
new regulation on the commercial taking of diamondback terrapin. It sets a slot
limit of 4 – 7 inches, reduces the season to August, September, and October,
and requires commercial fishermen to obtain a permit to take terrapin and
report landings. While this is more restrictive than the past regulations, the
Department did not adopt the 2001 Diamondback Terrapin Taskforce’s
recommendation to impose a moratorium. CCA MD has advised various
stakeholders to address this issue through the legislative and
administrative process.
The following is CCA MD’s
position on this issue: CCAMD supports
the Diamondback Terrapin Taskforce’s recommendation to impose a moratorium on
the taking of diamondback terrapins until DNR has conducted a thorough
independently peer reviewed and publicly discussed stock assessment. If that
stock assessment supports that a commercial diamondback terrapin fishery can be
considered without threatening the sustainability of the species, DNR should
draft a Fisheries Management Plan for public comment that includes specific
harvest targets and thresholds and clearly defined decision rules.
For additional information on
the CCA MD position on diamondback terrapins, please contact Ken Hastings (301)884-4872