NEW CRAB TRAP REGULATIONS TAKE EFFECT

Recreational crab traps in Florida will need to have an opening no larger than 6-by-2 inches to prevent accidental trapping and drowning of diamondback terrapins, a turtle species of special concern to scientists.

The ruling was passed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in December 2021 and went into effect on March 1. More than 25,700 people in Florida have recreational crab trap permits, according to 2020 FWC data, with up to five traps allowed per person.

The ruling is part of a larger effort to conserve terrapins, a small turtle species found in brackish waters across the state, whose populations are low. Terrapin populations are affected by several factors, including habitat loss and road mortality. Some people also collected them from the wild for the pet trade.

“We do not know the exact population of terrapins in Florida, but studies show their numbers are small and it is incredibly important that we protect what we have,” said Rick O’Connor, who is leading the project for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension. “Many people do not even know these small turtles exist. They are so rare, and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm from a vehicle, discharging a firearm into an occupied conveyance, and criminal mischief. we have been concerned about their status for years.”

No injuries were reported.

— Keys Weekly staff report.

Free bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) are available at select University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension offices around the state and can be installed on existing crab traps to protect terrapins and bring crab traps into compliance.

“Terrapins are an important member of the salt marsh community,” O’Connor said. “They are a top predator of snails that feed on dead grass blades. The grasses are important to water quality and when these snail populations are not kept in check by the terrapins, the snails begin to eat the live grass blades which impacts the overall health of the salt marsh.”

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