THE TERRAPIN INSTITUTE

June 14, 2006

Mr. Michael Slattery, Assistant Secretary

Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Tawes State Office Building

Annapolis, Maryland 21401

TRANSMITTED VIA FAX – Three Pages

Dear Mr. Slattery:

Thank you for the opportunity to meet with you on May 31, 2006 and review the draft regulatory proposal for diamondback terrapin conservation as required by HB 980. The legislation signed by the Governor this year amends Natural Resources article 4-903 and requires that “THE REGULATIONS ADOPTED UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MARYLAND DIAMONDBACK TERRAPIN TASK FORCE ISSUED IN 2001.” The five measures presented to us on May 31, 2006 are not consistent with the Task Force recommendations and do not comply with the law as amended.

During our meeting on March 24, 2006, you assured Ed Wilson and me that the revised terrapin regulations would result in a practical moratorium. We anticipated a comprehensive approach to terrapin conservation which carefully considers each of the 2001 Task Force recommendations. Given the delay in implementing the Task Force recommendations as well as increased harvests, by-catch mortalities, and habitat loss, we respectfully request the Department to defer the opening of the commercial terrapin harvest season indefinitely. Until the Department has the population estimates, science or evidence to validate a sustainable commercial harvest, it is inappropriate to open the terrapin season as scheduled on August 1, 2006.

Increased by-catch mortality caused by fyke nets and commercial crab pots is contributing to the decline in terrapin populations. Enclosed are photographs of fyke nets retrieved April 24, 2006 from the Eastern Neck area and reported to the DNR police. Eight nets were retrieved in this incident; each contained an estimated 200 dead terrapins. None of the proposed terrapin conservation regulations address by-catch mortality nor are there any long-range plans from the Administration or the commercial fishing industry to mitigate species and habitat decline.

Conservative and cautious protection of the terrapin resource will have collateral benefits for the Administration as well as the commercial fishing industry. The Terrapin Institute is prepared to draft a comprehensive management package which is consistent with the recommendations of the 2001 Task Force. To appease the commercial fishing industry and off-set any economic impact, the Terrapin Institute is prepared to compensate harvesters and dealers. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Marguerite Whilden

cc: The Honorable Virginia Clagett, et al

P. O. Box 51, Edgewater, MD 21037 410 370 9171 www.terrapininstitute.org