DEP closes diamondback terrapin catch season early

Fearing an accelerated decline of coastal New Jersey's northern diamondback terrapin population, state environmental regulators shut down the commercial harvest season immediately, about two months ahead of schedule.

The commercial catch season usually ends March 31. In issuing his second administrative order regarding the species since March 2015, state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Martin pointed out the amphibians' value in New Jersey's coastal ecology.

"The diamondback terrapin has long been special to many people who live in or and visit our coastal communities," Martin said in prepared remarks.

"Many people have dedicated countless hours to protecting its habitats and raising awareness about this unique species. We need to ensure the terrapin remains part of our coastal ecosystem."

The original order stemmed from warnings by the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council and the Endangered and Nongame Species Advisory Committee that demand by out-of-state aquaculture centers serving overseas food purveyors resulted in over-harvesting in the Garden State. The agencies are collaborating on species management methods.

Diamondback terrapins are not listed as endangered or threatened in New Jersey, and thrived in brackish waters in New Jersey until the 1930s as their food value rose, according to information from DEP.

The population rebuilt in the 1960s, but is under increasing pressure as habitats dwindle and the number drowned in crab traps or hit by cars increases.

DEP cited a 2014 example in which two south Jersey spots yielded more than 3,500 terrapins that were transferred out of state, producing more than 14,000 offspring that were shipped to Asian countries.

See more information about diamondback terrapins, plus a range map, here.