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Rule Bans Commercial Harvest Of Ala. Turtles

Mobile, AL – The thriving Asian market for turtle meat is going to have to look elsewhere for the highly desirable meat.

A rule banning the commercial harvest of freshwater turtles passed in March by the Alabama Conservation Advisory Board went into effect on April 1. The Center for Biological Diversity says the rule makes Alabama one of the most protective states of wild turtles.

Commercial turtle harvest permits allowed holders to catch up to 10 turtles per day. The new rule eliminates commercial harvest and limits recreational harvesters to catch and keep two turtles per day.

Scientists say the market for turtle meat is fueled by demand in Asian countries where turtle populations have been decimated by years of overharvest.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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