A bill to ban the hunting of diamondback terrapin turtles for commercial purposes passed the Senate overwhelmingly with no debate.
Sponsored by Sen. Ray Dyson, D-St. Mary?s, the legislation is designed to protect the mascot of the University of Maryland from over-fishing and extinction in its native Chesapeake Bay. The snapping turtles are considered a delicacy in Asia, and there has been increasing export of the turtles to countries in Asia.
