Georgia to Regulate Freshwater Turtle Trade

Georgia's proposed rules for regulating native freshwater turtles, such as this pond slider, could go into effect April 1.

The Georgia General Assembly authorized the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, part of the state's Department of Natural Resources, to develop regulations that would "conserve native turtles while allowing existing farming and commercial operations to continue," according to the division.

The regulations were spurred by international demand, particularly from Southeast Asia, for turtles as food, folk medicine and pets, according to the division.

The proposed rules generally cap ownership of freshwater turtles at 10 without a commercial permit, although pet dealers licensed by the state's Department of Agriculture would be exempt. Under the proposal, pet owners and others would need a commercial permit if they owned 10 or more freshwater turtles, even if they were not involved in commercial activities.

The proposal would make a commercial fishing license a requirement for a commercial turtle permit and limits the number of turtles for 10 species that permit holders could take in a year.

Commercial turtle permit holders also would be required to document and maintain written records for each transaction involving native freshwater turtles and submit an annual report to the Natural Resources Department detailing, among other things, the number and the sex of turtles in each species possessed; the number captured; the mortality by species; the number of turtles by species harvested for market; and the names and addresses of all suppliers and purchasers of native freshwater turtles, eggs or turtle products.

The proposal also would make in unlawful for any person to collect native freshwater turtle eggs from the wild and would regulate the importation of turtles and eggs from other states. Importers would need a permit and to meet certain record-keeping requirements to import turtles or eggs.

The proposal also sets forth specifications for turtle farms. Specifically, outdoor facilities, including breeding, grow-out and holding ponds, must be contained within a perimeter fence at least 24-inches tall (from ground level) and sufficient to prevent turtles from entering or exiting the ponds. Indoor facilities also would require a perimeter fence to prevent the escape of any turtle and employ sanitary methods necessary to ensure the health of the turtles at all times.

The proposal would allow for turtle farm inspections by the department at any time. Those inspections could include a complete census of turtle stock under certain conditions, including the sale or transfer of the farm and if an inspection indicates a violation of the regulations.

The new rules would not affect species covered under Georgia's or federal endangered species protection.

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Georgia to Regulate Freshwater Turtle Trade

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