SREL Reprint #2510

Use of a marked population of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) to determine impacts of recreational crab pots

Margaret E. Hoyle1,2 and J. Whitfield Gibbons1

1University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Drawer E, Aiken, South Carolina 29801 USA
2South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 8377 State Cabin Road, Edisto Island,
South Carolina 29438 USA

Introduction: Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) are an important component of salt marsh ecosystems.  Declines in population size have been reported from many areas throughout their range, from Massachusetts to Texas (Garber, 1990; Seigel, 1993; Seigel and Gibbons, 1995).  Terrapin captures in commercial crab pots have been identified as contributing to the decline (Bishop, 1983; Roosenburg et al., 1997; Wood, 1997).  Bishop (1983) estimated in South Carolina that there were 2835 terrapin captures in commercial pots per day in April and May with 10% mortality.  Roosenburg et al. (1997) made population estimates for terrapins in Chesapeake Bay prior to conducting a study of mortality in crab pots.  The study reported here for terrapins in the southern part of their range supports the finding that recreational crab pots are a potential conservation problem.

SREL Reprint #2510

Hoyle, M. E., and J. W. Gibbons. 2000. Use of a marked population of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) to determine impacts of recreational crab pots. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 3:735-737.

This information was provided by the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (srel.uga.edu).