05-23-2008, 11:10 AM
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds people of the closed seasons for harvesting river cooters and their eggs from April 15 to July 31 and soft-shell turtles and their eggs from May 1 to July 31. River cooters and soft-shell turtles are the most frequently harvested of all Florida turtle species.
<br>The FWC has received information that prices for freshwater turtles and their meat have been increasing, which may cause the black market for illegally harvested, or poached, turtles to rise.<br>
<br>Anticipated tighter restrictions on harvesting may have caused the increase in turtle prices - nearly twice what they typically have been. The FWC is reconsidering rules on freshwater turtle harvesting after receiving information people were removing hundreds of freshwater turtles at a time. The more valuable turtles and turtle meat may be incentive enough for some to break the law and harvest turtles out of season.<br>
<br>The FWC is urging the public to immediately report anyone catching and keeping river cooters or soft-shell turtles this time of year.<br>
<br>To report violations of freshwater turtle regulations or any other fish and wildlife law violations, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). For guidelines on freshwater turtle restrictions, visit MyFWC.com/codebook.
<br>The FWC has received information that prices for freshwater turtles and their meat have been increasing, which may cause the black market for illegally harvested, or poached, turtles to rise.<br>
<br>Anticipated tighter restrictions on harvesting may have caused the increase in turtle prices - nearly twice what they typically have been. The FWC is reconsidering rules on freshwater turtle harvesting after receiving information people were removing hundreds of freshwater turtles at a time. The more valuable turtles and turtle meat may be incentive enough for some to break the law and harvest turtles out of season.<br>
<br>The FWC is urging the public to immediately report anyone catching and keeping river cooters or soft-shell turtles this time of year.<br>
<br>To report violations of freshwater turtle regulations or any other fish and wildlife law violations, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). For guidelines on freshwater turtle restrictions, visit MyFWC.com/codebook.