FWC hears impassioned pleas about turtle harvest

FWC hears impassioned pleas about turtle harvest

People from around Florida with an interest in turtles came together in Tampa Thursday to provide data – both anecdotal and scientific – to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to help guide development of a harvest management strategy by June 2009.

"This is exactly how we like to do things – bring people together and find solutions," said Nick Wiley, assistant executive director of the FWC, as the meeting began. "We appreciate very much that so many of you want to be engaged in this process."

Bill Turner, FWC turtle scientist, said there was one big question to answer: "Should the FWC allow the harvest of freshwater turtles?"

"We're working overtime to get this done by June," Turner said. "We can't collect much of the information ourselves. We depend on our stakeholders to help us gather the information."

At times the exchange was spirited between turtle scientists and conservationists who would like to see an outright ban on harvesting freshwater turtles and the commercial fishermen whose income partly depends on a seasonal harvest of freshwater turtles.

"The fishermen are upset because it's their livelihood, and they believe softshell turtles are plentiful and can sustain a harvest," Turner said. "Others want to end the harvest because they believe it could cause turtle populations to decline."

William Shockley, a third-generation fisherman from Okeechobee, takes his son out on weekends to catch turtles and earn some money. He told the audience he can sell turtles for $1 to $1.50 per pound.

"When they weigh between 3 and 5 pounds, we throw them back," Shockley said. "It doesn't do us any good to take the next generation, so we throw back the smaller ones."

Turtle scientist Peter Meylan expressed his concern about the levels of harvest and monitoring, saying the harvest should be banned.

"There isn't any money in the state to do the research needed to develop a minimum sustainable number for harvest," Meylan said. "So in absence of funds, the best thing to do for turtles and the ecosystem is not to allow them to be harvested commercially."

Wiley said the FWC encourages turtle scientists, fishermen and other experts on freshwater turtle harvest to share their insight as the agency moves rapidly toward developing a management strategy.

"This information will be one source as we develop the best possible strategy for freshwater turtles in Florida," Wiley said.

The FWC passed a rule in September that limits the harvest of wild Florida freshwater turtles to five per day per person. Each fisherman with a commercial license is allowed to harvest an additional 15 Florida softshell turtles per day, for a total of 20. The FWC will monitor and enforce the current rule to ensure the turtles are being adequately protected.

FWC's rule-making requires specific steps to provide proper public due process. The FWC will continue to seek input over the next few months. Staff will present the proposed management strategy at the Commission's April meeting in Tallahassee. Commissioners will vote on the final plan and regulations at their June meeting in Crystal River.

Fortunately, the FWC has some time to work through this process, because the best months (September and October) for harvesting freshwater turtles have passed in Florida. During cooler weather, turtles move at a much slower pace and eat less food, making them difficult to harvest. In addition, May 1 begins the closed season for harvest of the Florida softshell turtle, which goes until July 31.

With the input from Thursday's meeting, FWC staff will begin organizing the material and drafting a management plan.

"We're trying to understand so we can develop a long-term meaningful management strategy for the species," Turner said. "We're moving very quickly, and we will have a plan in place by June."