New proposed state regulations to conserve the diamondback terrapin population are drawing the ire of both Maryland watermen and the animal?s most outspoken advocacy group.
“We understand that terrapins are an icon. … It is easy for people to become very emotional about this issue,” said Michael Slattery, assistant secretary of resource conservation for the Department of Natural Resources.
But he said the department based its new guidelines on scientific data from the Maryland Diamondback Terrapin Taskforce, adding that emotions shouldn?t “compromise the validity of … science-based” management decisions.
The diamondback terrapin has been the state reptile and official mascot of the University of Maryland, College Park since 1994. Its association with the university?s athletic program dates back more than 70 years.
The regulation would change the diamondback terrapin catch size from a minimum of six inches to a minimum of six inches and a maximum of seven inches. The DNR said this measure would protect larger adult females. The regulations would also reduce the animal?s legal capture period from nine months to three months, and create a permitted commercial fishery with mandatory reporting measures.
Marguerite Whilden, the founder of the nonprofit Terrapin Institute, said the regulations are not enough. She called for a temporary moratorium on commercial fishing of the terrapin so the state can get an accurate evaluation of the animal?s population.
The Diamondback Terrapin Task Force has acknowledged that the population status and general health of the population is unknown.
But DNR officials say there is no reason to impose a moratorium without having a definite assessment of the terrapin?s population.
Larry Simms, president of the Maryland Watermen?s Association, says that stricter regulations on commercial watermen unfairly penalize people who aren?t significantly contributing to a population drop-off.
