Harvesting freshwater turtles is seen on Santa Fe River, across state
By Rachael Anne Ryals
Herald Staff Writer
One slip of the flipper and turtles perched on fallen logs on the Santa Fe River, warming their cold-blooded bodies with the plentiful Florida sun, could be headed to Asia to become someone’s dinner.
Photo courtesy of the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission
Shown above is a soft-shell, freshwater turtle. Until October of 2008, turtles like these could legally be taken in unlimited numbers. A temporary rule that limited the number that could be taken per day will be reviewed by the state in April, at which time the state could go back to the old, unlimited harvest or enact stricter limits.