The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) passed a rule on Wednesday that sets new limits for the harvest of freshwater turtles.
The new rule limits the harvest of native Florida freshwater turtles to five per day. However, fishermen with a commercial license are allowed to harvest 20 Florida soft-shell turtles per day. The new rules have been passed to protect freshwater turtle populations while the FWC develops a long-term comprehensive strategy for sustainable use of amphibian and reptile populations. The new rules limit the number of turtles that may be taken from the wild, not from turtle farms or other aquaculture facilities. No changes have been made to the number of turtles people may possess; the existing limits still apply. Furthermore, rules about selling or buying turtles also have not changed.
Original post by FWC Fishing and Boating News
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