Turtle : Four-Inch Law

[rmorse]

Li, I was under the impression that our law means you cannot sell the hatchlings, nor can you buy the hatchlings. The only LEGAL way of obtaining a turtle in MD under 4" is if it is for educational purpose.

However, I was also under the impression that if I have red eared sliders, and I am breeding them, that is perfectly legal.


Interesting.

 

[rmorse]

It is what it is what is, most of the time they turn cheek on this at pet stores..... I see quarter sized hatchlings for sale all the time, they post the sign and all is well, but dont get it twisted that they wont sell them because they do... but the disclaimer is still there.

Every pet store only cares about making money. The disclaimer is so that they do not get fined, not to inform the consumer about the health risks.

 

[varanio]

Every pet store only cares about making money. The disclaimer is so that they do not get fined, not to inform the consumer about the health risks.

I think thats the point I tried to make, if the turtles are used here on the site for educational purposes he would be fulfilling criteria since the site is informational and educational.

 

[krzr3000]

The only thing this law works for is chain stores. They are always for sale in china town areas as well as southern flea markets. Absolutely no enforcement...one of those laws that is pleaded for, then ignored.

 

[armac]

old law, nothing new

 

[midnight]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salmonellosis#Four-Inch_Law




http://www.fda.gov/cvm/turtlereg.htm








does this apply to possession of turtle that is under 4"

i know in Maryland law

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all those quotes are talking about selling them under 4" not keeping them

nice try tho
keep on it,you might find a site or person that worded it wrong so you can go delete happy on "threads"

Four Inch Turtle Law​

The sale or commercial distribution of viable turtle eggs and small turtles (carapace length less than 4 inches) for use as pets is banned under 21 CFR 1240.62. The ban is based on the Public Health Service Act (section 361, 58 Stat. 703) and therefore applies to both intrastate and interstate sale and distribution.
Exceptions to the ban under 21 CFR 1240.62 permit sales of turtles and turtle eggs for use in bona fide scientific, educational, or exhibition purposes other than as pets and of marine (ocean) turtles. Other exceptions to the ban are the sale of turtles and turtle eggs not in connection with a business (e.g., limited sales between turtle fanciers have been permitted) or that are intended for export.
The ban applies to small turtles (under 4 inch carapace length) because these are most likely to be held for sale as children's pets, and the purpose of the ban is to protect children from turtle-born salmonellosis.​

This information sheet has been written and provided as a courtesy by Silver City Serpentarium, Inc. 10/10/02

heres some more info on this,from fl.....

Turtles and Tortoises​

Turtles: Most freshwater turtles may be taken manually throughout the year or by use of baited hooks, bows, dip nets, traps (designed so any freshwater fish caught may escape) or by spearing (during daylight hours only from a boat or shore). The taking of turtles by bucket trap, snare or shooting with a firearm is prohibited. No license or permit is required to take turtles. River cooters may not be taken from April 15 through July 31. No softshell turtles or their eggs may be taken from the wild during the period May 1 through July 31. No person shall possess more than 50 eggs taken from the wild in the aggregate of species of freshwater turtle native to Florida except as authorized by permit from the FWC executive director. The purchase or sale of turtle eggs taken from the wild is prohibited. On Lake Okeechobee, no person may take or sell any peninsular cooter (Pseudemys peninsularis), Florida red-bellied turtle (Pseudemys nelsoni), Florida snapping turle (Chelydra serpentina osceola), or Florida soft-shelled turtle (Apalone ferox) having a carapace length of less than eight inches.​

Eggs of the following restricted turtle species are subject to the same possession limits as apply for those turtles. Possession limit, turtles or eggs: river cooter, two; alligator snapping turtle, one; loggerhead musk turtle, two; box turtle, two; Barbour’s map turtle, two; Escambia River map turtle, two; diamondback terrapins, two. No person shall buy, sell or possess for sale any alligator snapping turtle, box turtle, Barbour’s map turtle, river cooter, loggerhead musk turtle, Escambia River map turtle, diamondback terrapins, or parts thereof.​

The use of gasoline or any other chemical or gaseous substances to drive wildlife from their retreats is prohibited.​

Gopher Tortoises: No person shall buy, sell, take or possess any gopher tortoise, or any part thereof, except by permit from the FWC executive director. Possession of gopher tortoises may be authorized by permit when the owner can demonstrate that such tortoise(s)were legally acquired and possessed before July 1, 1988.​

glad i dont net at Lake Okeechobee,right neo?
​

News Release

The FWC examines freshwater turtle harvests for future sustainability

For immediate release: April 1, 2008

Contact: Patricia Behnke, 850-410-5291
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has formed a team to study and make recommendations on rules concerning freshwater turtle harvest.
There are restrictions on the harvest of several freshwater turtle species, but softshell turtles have no restrictions on their harvest, except during the closed season, May through July. Also during this closed season, their eggs may not be taken from the wild. Recent reports of increases in the harvest of these turtles have raised concern among turtle experts, environmentalists and the FWC.
The Center for Biological Diversity, the St. Johns Riverkeeper and the Center for Food Safety recently petitioned the FWC, Gov. Charlie Crist's office and the Florida Department of Health to enact an emergency ruling which would suspend the harvest of all freshwater turtles in Florida. The petition states unregulated commercial harvest is "rapidly depleting Florida's wild turtle populations" and cites a public health risk in consumption of turtles "contaminated with toxins and pollutants." The Center for Biological Diversity also filed the petition in Georgia, Okalahoma and Texas.
An emergency ruling would only be effective for 90 days, under Florida statute. Softshell turtle harvest is closed from May 1 to July 31, so a 90-day closure would only provide 30 additional days of protection. FWC biologists believe an emergency ruling would not resolve the issue and would provide only a temporary solution in any case.
"We have some protections in place for several species of turtles," said Ken Haddad, executive director of the FWC, "but we have indications that harvests have increased for other species. We must take a serious look at the sustainability of the freshwater turtles at current rate of harvest."
FWC turtle specialist, Bill Turner, said turtle harvests have increased in Florida as a result of demand from foreign markets and because Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina and Alabama have enacted laws prohibiting the commercial harvest of freshwater turtles.
"It is imperative we determine the best measures for ensuring sustainable use of turtles in Florida." Turner said.
As a result, the FWC staff has filed a rule development notice concerning the harvest of freshwater turtles and hopes to have a recommendation to present to its commissioners at the June meeting.
In addition to the closed season on harvesting softshell turtles and their eggs, river cooters may not be taken from April 15 to July 31. During these closed seasons, the FWC will be studying the situation, and FWC's Division of Law Enforcement will be extra diligent in enforcing the closed season, which is the breeding and nesting season for softshell turtles. The agency is also willing to consider an extension of the closed seasons if needed.
Restrictions are placed year-round on harvesting of turtles and possession of eggs of the following species: river cooters (two), alligator snapping turtles (one), loggerhead musk turtles (two), box turtles (two), Barbour's map turtles (two), Escambia River map turtles (two) and diamondback terrapins (two). Purchasing or selling turtle eggs collected from the wild is prohibited. Buying, selling, taking or possessing gopher tortoises is prohibited as well.​

30 day closed season on a few of the turts​

so it looks like you just cant sell or buy baby turts

but you can go catch your own "check your state laws first"
cant keep a few turts on closed season dates
cant keep protected turts​

maybe you guys can find another reason to close threads sorry

​

 

[WyldFya]

It is illegal to buy/sell turtles with less than 4" shells, however, it is fine to own them, and a loophole is that if a store gives you a hatchling, the did not break the law. It is only the act of actually selling the turtles at that size.

 

[Fishes33]

At least the 4" law is better than the import law in Ontario

You cannot import / sell / buy any wild caught turtle

they are allowed to sell only if its bred in Canada

So...

All those FRT you see in the market, they are all illegal!!! :O

 

[titansfever83]

In Tennessee, you cannot buy, sell, import, export a turtle as a "pet".

Only under these conditions can you have one legally, you are an institute(schools, laboratories, etc.)


The only way to sell them is if you are a wholesaler selling them out of state, or selling them for food only.

 

[sabotage]

it stated on all LFS that sell turtles in my area....