Save Georgia Freshwater Turtles
Georgia is the only state in the southeastern United States that does not restrict the capture and sale of freshwater turtles. This matters because Georgia is rich nursery for turtle biodiversity with 27 species swimming lakes and streams.
What, you might legitimately ask, does anyone do with a captive snapping turtle? Answer: export it to China where it goes on the dinner plate or into soup. Having hunted their own turtles into extinction, China is now importing turtles from Georgia. And Georgia's Department of Natural Resources has heard rumors that a number of turtle trappers have moved their operations to Georgia specifically because of the lack of regulation.
Tell the Georgia Department of Natural Resources that you support their proposes restrictions on turtle harvesting.
We the undersigned applaud your proposal to restrict the capture of Georgia's freshwater turtles. Georgia is a rich nursery of turtle species and that biodiversity should be cherished, not sacrificed to the interests of a few people who make a profit selling turtles to China. Turtle populations are already vulnerable because of development and it concomitant loss of wildlife habitat. We support your proposed harvest limits.
