Saving Terrapins and Crab Cakes: New Rule for Recreational Crab Traps Takes Effect March 1st. Get them while they are hot. Information below how to get yours free.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has just announced a new rule to protect diamondback terrapins, a small turtle species found in brackish waters across the state. The new regulation requires that all recreational crab traps in Florida have rigid funnel openings no larger than 2 x 6 inches or 2 x 6-inch bycatch reduction devices installed. Kayaking is a great way to collect your crabs. Be sure to stay legal by adding this device to your crab traps before the next time you go kayak crabbing.
This rule is part of a larger effort to conserve terrapins, which have been facing a significant threat due to accidental trapping in crab traps. The FWC’s goal is to ensure the continued survival and recovery of terrapin populations in Florida by reducing incidental mortality.
The good news is that BRDs (Bycatch Reduction Devices) can be installed on existing crab traps, and a limited supply of these devices is available for free to Florida’s recreational crabbers. FWC’s Division of Marine Fisheries Management can be contacted by phone at 850-487-0554 or by email at Marine@MyFWC.com for more information on where to get BRDs at no cost.
Diamondback terrapins are medium-sized turtles that live in brackish water habitats statewide, including salt marshes, barrier islands, mangrove swamps, tidal creeks, and rivers. They eat a variety of foods, including snails, crabs, clams, mussels, worms, fish, and plants. The state is home to five of the seven subspecies of diamondback terrapins, three of which can be found nowhere else in the world. So if you’re a recreational crabber, be sure to get your crab traps ready for the new regulation.
And remember, by protecting diamondback terrapins, you’re also protecting the iconic Florida environment. For more information on blue crab trap regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Blue Crab” under the “Crabs, Lobster and other Shellfish.”
There are several efforts underway to save terrapin turtles in the USA, including habitat conservation, population monitoring, and research to better understand the species and its behaviors.
One of the main threats to terrapins is accidental trapping in commercial and recreational crab traps. To address this issue, some states have implemented regulations requiring the use of Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs) in crab traps. BRDs can significantly reduce the incidental capture of terrapins while still allowing for the harvest of blue crabs.
In addition to BRDs, many conservation groups are working to protect and restore terrapin habitats. This includes efforts to protect nesting beaches, reduce pollution, and restore marshes and other coastal habitats that are important for terrapins and other wildlife. Some organizations also conduct research on terrapin biology and behavior to better understand the species and develop more effective conservation strategies. For example, researchers are studying the movement patterns of terrapins to identify important habitats and migration routes, and are developing new techniques for safely capturing and releasing trapped turtles.
Overall, there are many different efforts underway to conserve terrapin populations in the USA. By working together, researchers, conservationists, and policy makers can help ensure that these unique and valuable turtles continue to thrive for generations to come.
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