RALEIGH -- A moratorium on commercial trapping of freshwater turtles -- something that has increased dramatically in a few years -- is closer to reality.
The state House on Tuesday voted 110-0 to expedite a moratorium on turtle trapping. The Senate already had passed a similar bill, which must be reconciled with the House version before it can become law.
The proposal would make the ban effective July 1.
Commercial harvesting of turtles has increased from a few hundred turtles in 2000 to more than 23,000 last year, according to wildlife collection reports. The turtles are sold abroad as pets, food and for use in folk medicines.
The bill gives the Wildlife Resources Commission authority to set limits on collection of non-endangered reptiles and amphibians. Until the limits are established, the commission has authority to halt the commercial harvest.
Dick Hamilton, deputy director of the Wildlife Resources Commission, said the commission strongly supported the legislation. The commission currently has authority to regulate fish, birds and mammals, but not reptiles and amphibians unless they are endangered.
North Carolina has no regulations on commercial harvesting of freshwater turtles. Sea turtles are protected because they are listed as federally threatened and endangered.
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NC House Approves Bill To Ban Turtle Harvest
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