Turtle Soup : sponsored by the TEXAS Goverment

[DevilDiver]

Turtle Soup : sponsored by the TEXAS Goverment

Sun, 05 Aug 2007 04:16:00

If we had heard about this from another goverment, it will be for sure a surprise, but here we are, talking about the US goverment and it's double morale.... on one side santioning Japan and their Whaling campaign, and on the other hand, giving the green light to Texas hunters to trap Turtles and sell them to China. The reason? It is a damn good Business...

Growing up in East Texas, Dian Avriett loved to watch the turtles sunning on the banks of local rivers and lakes. But now she says it's rare to see them on those same waterways, and the reason is clear -- China's taste for Texas turtle meat.

Hundreds of thousands have been sold to dealers who ship the animals to Asia where the meat is considered a delicacy with health benefits. Some also fetch high prices around the world as pets. "In Texas, anyone with a $50 dollar non-game permit can take as many (turtles) as they want," said Avriett, who chairs the Piney Woods group of the Sierra Club.

Global turtle populations are at risk, but conservationists said the problem is growing acute in Texas where there are no limits on the collection of unprotected varieties.
An average of 94,442 turtles per year are taken by dealers, mostly for export from the state, according to figures from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
Data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service obtained under a Freedom of Information Act request showed more than 267,000 wild turtles were exported to Hong Kong from Dallas from 2002 to 2005, said Chris Jones, an environmental attorney who has lobbied for turtle protections. Although there are no state-wide statistics showing declines in Texas turtle population, Jones said abundant anecdotal evidence exists. For example in one section of the Rio Grande river that had been a trap site, an adult turtle has not been seen in 10 years.

They are taking them so fast the scientists can't study them," Jones said.

Now some varieties including the Texas river cooter could have some protection because the TPWD commissioners on May 24 approved a measure to prohibit the collection of wild turtles on public land. But under that regulation, which is not yet on the books as law, collectors may harvest three varieties of turtles on private land; the red-eared slider, the common snapping turtle and five types of soft-shell turtles.

[mm_dm]

It's hard to imagine a creature I spend so much underwater time with might end up on a dinner plate on the other side of the world. It's just plain wrong.

[ianr33]

Originally Posted by mm_dm

It's hard to imagine a creature I spend so much underwater time with might end up on a dinner plate on the other side of the world. It's just plain wrong.

Something tells me the article is not talking about Sea Turtles ??

Not saying that it is right,just that there seems to be some confusion here.

[gtjason2000]

I felt bad today because on a walk we saw four baby turtles that ventured out in the recent rains only to get run over by the neighborhood lawn mowers.

[cgvmer]

The United States should sanction that country too..

[DevilDiver]

It's not Sea Turtles......................Sorry. I did not think to preface that fact before the article.

[FishFood]

I see no reason from your post to say that Texas is "sponsering" this. (I could have missed it i guess) Sounds like a case up "Who'd a thunk"?

[Capt Hook]

Not all turtles are theatened, but still shipping them to China?!

[mm_dm]

Here is an ealier article that may shed some light on the above questions.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...s/4715754.html

[creggur]

This is going to come off as kind of smart-assish so I apologize in advance.

Are there any species that aren't threatened. Instead of going after hunting rifles, bows, etc.. I'm noticing a trend where it seems they are trying to do away with hunting, one species at a time by getting them on an endangered or threatened list somewhere... If a species is seriously threatened I have no problem with regulations against hunting it. But it seems like sombody has figured out a good way to push their political agenda through using endangered species lists...

I'm not a hunter, but there is so much politics envolved in this stuff it's hard to take any of it serious..