Fill out this form to email this article to a friend

Your name		Your email
Recipient email	You may enter up to 20 multiple email addresses, separated by commas.
Your message
Validation Code	Hear validation code
	Enter validation code

We were unable to send your email.

Click here to try again.

Crist wisely steps in to save turtles

In print: Monday, December 1, 2008

Story Tools E-mail this story Contact the editor Print this story Comment on this story Social Bookmarking Digg Facebook Stumbleupon Reddit Del.icio.us Newsvine

ADVERTISEMENT [DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times] A softshell turtle swims at a pond in Largo. Biologists warn that commercial harvesting of softshell turtles in Florida is not sustainable. Loading Video...

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has demonstrated more than once that he is a responsible steward of the state's natural resources. The latest example: his welcome move to protect the state's freshwater turtles from commercial harvesting.

In a recent letter to Rodney Barreto, chairman of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the governor was unequivocal: "According to many of the turtle biologists, if the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is not vigilant and does not act swiftly we could be in grave danger of irreparable damage to our turtle population. Based on the information, I would urge that the commission move toward a complete ban on the harvesting of our wild turtles."

Crist's letter was released as the commission conducted public hearings in Tampa, where commercial harvesters, scientists and the public debated the status of softshell turtles. Each week, according to experts, thousands of live turtles are shipped from Florida to China where they are consumed for food and used for folk remedies such as aphrodisiacs. The commission estimates that 3,000 pounds of softshell turtles a week are flown out of Tampa International Airport.

Although softshell turtles are not on the list of endangered species and commercial harvesters maintain they are not hurting the animal's population, biologists argue that the animals are being taken at a rate that is unsustainable over time. The governor wisely listened to the advice of the biologists in his effort to protect this natural resource. Now the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission should listen to the governor.