Tom,
I don't believe there are to many studies on this but all animals have a
sustainable harvest amount based on the fact that they produce a great deal
more offspring then they need to replace those lost to predation and other
factors. Turtles are so long lived that funding a study would cost a lot and
wouldn't be complete for many years. We know that turtles have been predated
(harvested) for 1000's of years and they are still here. I know that isn't a
scientific study but it is true. Long lived species do need to be managed
differently then short lived species. But I question some of the opinions
concerning the fragility of turtles. I also believe that over-harvest does
occur and can cause damage to populations. But proper management can bring
these populations back to reasonable stability. All I am saying is that
herps are different then almost every other species in the sense that they
are nongame species that is harvested like a game species. The other unique
thing about herps is that they are kept alive, propagated and sold across
state and federal lines. All of these realities must be considered when
making management and regulatory decisions. Herps, basically, need a totally
different approach then regulatory agencies currently give to all other
groups. This is where the problem lies: Changing the good ole boy approach
and ingrained mentality that has been practiced for over the last 100 years.
The approach of today's academics and agency biologists toward herps and
herp management is not working. Partnerships with the private sector need to
be created and nurtured. This will require many to move to the middle and
take a more inclusive approach.
Mike Welker
El Paso, TX
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Mosca III" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 7:03 AM
Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] 1/26 N.Y. Times Editorial on Wild Turtle Trade,
Are there any catch and effort data to support this claim?
---- Original message ----
Clearly, limiting harvest by placing the same restrictions that are in
place for many other vertebrates (deer, turkey, etc) would be a huge step
in decreasing the loss of these animals and increasing the number of
recruits into the population.
