Fwd: AP version of the story: Turtle trapper turns to aquaculture

Attachments :Here’s the AP article: Unfortunately, the AP version of the turtle farm story is abbreviated and omits the facts that in response to the agency’s decision, terrapin harvesters increased three fold, 6900 turtles of various species were removed from the wild, and wild-caught turtles are being stored as private property in the farm ponds. We now have documentation that at least 2500 terrapins have been exported by way of Louisiana to China. As anyone on this list can attest, terrapin cultivation is difficult even under the best conditions. In my opinion and on the advice of others, there are sufficient captive-breeders to satisfy the demand of committed pet keepers. In order to satisfy the demands of international food markets, traditional medicine, and “disposable”pet traders, the cultivation of terrapin must be on a scale similar to the red eared slider farms. Does anyone believe that brackish water terrapins can be mass produced by the thousands? Turtle trapper turns to aquaculture Printer Friendly