A group of scientists and conservationists have been participating in an effort to encourage the Maryland State Government to impose a moratorium on the commercial fishing of diamondback terrapins. Terrapin populations have declined significantly along the MD shore due to habitat loss, deaths associated with commercial seafood harvesting (such as entrapment in crab pots), and collection for sale in Asian seafood markets, primarily outside the state. Terrapins normally take 8-13 years to reach reproductive maturity, and the species cannot reproduce quickly enough to sustain such significant losses. Other states, including Virginia, and North and South Carolina have already banned the fishing of diamondback terrapins.
Please help conserve this wonderful species by signing the Chesapeake Terrapin Alliance's petition in support of a moratorium on terrapin fishing at:
