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Home > Current News > 2004

News: 2004

Alligator Snapping Turtle Harvest Limited
Posted: 11/23/04

The alligator snapping turtle, or loggerhead, once a common site in Louisiana markets, can no longer legally be trapped for commercial sale. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Dwight Landreneau has signed a regulation that not only bans commercial harvest, but limits personal take of the turtles to one per day per boat or vehicle.

America's largest freshwater turtle was once processed by the thousands each year in Louisiana, ending up in turtle soups and gumbos. Although that market had waned during the 1980s, biologists were concerned that loggerhead populations and their habitat were decreased. In response, LDWF placed commercial size and recreational take limits on the turtles in 1993.

By 1998, Louisiana was the only state that allowed commercial harvest of alligator snapping turtles. Concern about the harvest led Sen. Robert Barham to ask the Louisiana Legislature for a moratorium. That moratorium took effect Nov. 20.

The alligator snapper can no longer legally be taken from the wild for commerce, and the sale of the turtles, their meat, shells and other parts is prohibited. However, licensed turtle farmers will still be allowed to sell alligator snappers that hatch from their breeding stock, and Louisiana residents can still satisfy their culinary desires and traditions by doing their own trapping.

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