Environmental Groups Want to Stop Commercial Harvest of Turtles

By Karen Kosko

03-31-2008

Environmentalists are asking Oklahoma and three other states to stop the commercial harvesting of freshwater turtles.

A recent study conducted by researchers at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater showed that thousands of turtles are being harvested in the state, especially from rivers and streams in eastern and southeastern Oklahoma.

Turtles are taken commercially for their meat, which is often sold in Asia and in Asian markets in the U.S. Environmentalists have expressed concern that turtle meat is becoming more contaminated with heavy metals. They also warn that over-harvesting is leading to depletion in the turtle population.

Oklahoma’s current laws make it relatively cheap and easy to harvest turtles commercially. A license costs just $40 a year for residents and $200 for non-residents. The license allows for the harvest of an unlimited number of turtles from any of Oklahoma’s waterways except for its five scenic rivers in the northeastern and eastern parts of the state.