Commercial Harvesting of Freshwater Turtles Banned

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission passed a ban of commercial harvesting of all freshwater turtles in Florida.

FWC Press Release

High Springs Herald article

St. Petersburg Times article

FWC Closer To Enacting Rule For Freshwater Turtles

Florida moved toward adopting strong conservation measures for the harvest of freshwater turtles at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s meeting in Tallahasee

Foster Folly News: A Washington County Florida Community Newsletter
April 15th, 2009

Full article

Springs Working Group Meeting - March 19, 2009

The March 19th Sante Fe Springs Working Group meeting was held at the Poe Springs Lodge from 9:30 – 3pm.

Agenda and Meeting Notes

Presentations:

• SJRWMD Water Supply Planning - David Hornsby
• SRWMD Water Supply Planning - Carlos Herd
• Santa Fe River Turtle Project - Jerry Johnston, Professor of Biology, Santa Fe College
• Ichetucknee Partnership, Cindy Johnson

FWC staff proposes the country’s strongest conservation measures for freshwater turtles

After months of reviewing and discussing the issue of freshwater turtle harvest in Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) staff will present a draft rule at the Commission meeting in Tallahassee on April 15.

“Staff is proposing a draft rule that represents the most comprehensive set of protections and conservation measures for freshwater turtles in the United States,” said Tim Breault, the FWC’s director of Habitat and Species Conservation. “Few places in North America have the rich diversity of turtles that we have here in Florida, and this proposed rule ensures their long-term survival.”

Full Press Release

Harvesting freshwater turtles is seen on Santa Fe River, across state

By Rachael Anne Ryals
February 26, 2009
High Springs Herald
http://www.highspringsherald.com/articles/2009/02/06/news/news11.txt