Turtle fishing reaching record levels in Polk

Saturday, October 11, 2008

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Turtle fishermen say they have access to so few lakes they couldn't harvest enough to threaten the population.

POLK COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Eating turtle meat may be out of the ordinary in the United States.

But across the ocean it's a favorite.

And that has the turtle fishing business booming in Polk County, as wildlife officials recently discovered.

At the Thomas Fish Company in Eagle Lake, hundreds of soft shell turtle are packed in crates and shipped around the world. The company also sells turtle meat by the pound.

"It's delicious,' said company worker Karen Cribbs of the turtle meat. "I know everybody compares everything to chicken but it's better than chicken."

The market for turtle meat has experienced tremendous growth in recent years.

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Thomas officials said they used to buy 1,000 pounds of turtles from fishermen a year. Now it buys 10,000 pounds a week - mostly sent to China where turtles area delicacy.

The U.S. Government is still developing its rules regarding turtle harvesting. In fact, starting October 13, fishermen can only take 20 turtles per day. The limits will stay in place while biologists study whether turtles could be endangered.

Turtle fisherman John Thomas said he and his colleagues have access to so few lakes they couldn't harvest enough to threaten the population.

However, Seminole city councilman Dan Hester wants regulation. He has proposed a law aimed at keeping people from taking turtles.

"What's next? Are we going to start shipping dogs and cats and other wildlife and animals to China?" he said.

Fishermen say legislation against turtle harvesting can only be put in place by the state. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said the majority of turtles shipped from Florida to Asia are actually from turtle farms.