Florida has approved stronger conservation measures for freshwater turtles.
Concerned with increasing popularity of turtles and the potential for over-harvest, the Commission passed an interim rule in September 2008 to protect turtle species. A team of staff has developed a long-term turtle conservation strategy that will propose long term protection measures. New protections were approved by the Commission at the June 2009 Commission meeting.
The rule prohibits taking or possessing turtles from the wild that are listed on Florida's imperiled species list. These turtles are listed as imperiled:
- Alligator snapping turtles (Macrochelys temminckii)
- Barbour's map turtles (Graptemys barbouri)
- Suwannee cooters (Pseudemys suwanniensis)
Also prohibited is taking species that look similar to the imperiled species, which include common snapping turtles and cooters.
- Cooters (Pseudemys sp.)
- Escambia Map Turtle (Graptemys ernsti)
- Snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina)
For all other freshwater turtles, take is limited to one turtle per person per day (midnight to midnight) from the wild for noncommercial use. The transport of more than one turtle per day is prohibited, unless the transporter has a license for sale or exhibition of wildlife, aquaculture certification from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, or documentation that their turtles were legally obtained (proof of purchase).
Freshwater turtles can only be taken by hand, dip net, minnow seine or baited hook. Most freshwater turtles may be taken year-round. Taking turtles with bucket traps, snares, or shooting with firearms is prohibited. Softshell turtles may not be taken from the wild from May 1 to July 31. In addition, collecting of freshwater turtle eggs is prohibited.
Some turtle farms depend on collection of wild freshwater turtles. With the new rule, certified turtle aquaculture facilities, under a tightly controlled permitting system, will be allowed to collect turtles to establish reproduction in captivity so that farms can become self-sustaining to lessen their dependence on collection of turtles from the wild.
Selling turtles taken from the wild is prohibited. Possession limits for the following turtle species and their eggs are as follows:
- Loggerhead musk turtles - two
- Box turtles - two
- Escambia map turtles - two
- Diamondback terrapins - two
No one may sell turtles taken from the wild in Florida. In addition, no one may buy, sell, or possess for sale alligator snapping turtles, Barbour's map turtles, Suwannee cooters or parts thereof.
If you had an alligator snapping turtle, Barbour's map turtles, or Suwannee cooters before July 20, 2009, you must apply for a Class III Personal Pet License to keep your turtles. The license will not be issued for more than one alligator snapping turtle or more than two Barbour's map turtles.
Buying, selling, taking, or possessing gopher tortoises, or parts thereof, is prohibited except by permit from the FWC executive director.