Habitat destruction
Habitat destruction and degradation is one of the primary threats to turtles and other organisms that need wetlands for part of their life cycle. Loss of habitat includes filling and draining of wetlands, stream channelization, and destruction and fragmentation of forested upland habitats. Current Federal laws do not adequately protect wetlands and these laws need to be strengthened.  I have recently completed a manuscript with Margaret Gunzburger that documents the effects of sediment removal operations on herpetofauna.

Overharvesting of turtles for food
In Asia, virtually all turtle species are now threatened by overharvest for food. Some species are already close to extinction. In some parts of the United States, turtles are still harvested for their meat. Historic harvest of the alligator snapping turtle (Macroclemys temminckii), the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), and river cooters (Pseudemys concinna) have resulted in dramatic population declines in many areas.

Laws should be enacted that completely prohibit the harvest of turtles. In general, the life history (e.g., delayed sexual maturity) and demography of turtles are such that they are not amenable to harvest. Adults are long-lived and have few natural predators but often require at least 10 years to reach maturity (and much longer for some species such as the gopher tortoise). Survival of eggs and hatchlings is generally low, but is countered by long lifetime reproductive potential of the adults. Therefore, if adults are heavily harvested, populations may quickly decline.
 
 

In Florida, the harvest of Florida softshell turtles (Apalone ferox) may be especially problematic because so little is known of their key demographic traits and the effects of harvest on population stability cannot be predicted. Softshells are taken both commercially and by individuals for food. Recently, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission closed the take of softshells from May 1 to July 31. However, it is difficult to assess the effectiveness of a 3 month closed season without adequate data on both harvest pressure and demographic traits. The harvest of common snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) is currently unregulated and populations in some areas may be declining as a result. Nothing more than a fishing license is required to take turtles and there is no monitoring program by the state to keep track of harvest.

Adult female Apalone ferox, Lake Jackson, Leon Co., Florida

Killing by fisherman
In many parts of the southeastern United States, bank fisherman, most often those using cane poles while fishing from the shore, kill any turtle that they inadvertently catch while fishing. Fisherman using worms or chicken bait often catch yellow-bellied slider turtles (Trachemys scripta) and common musk turtles (Sternotherus odoratus).

Captured turtles are hit on the head with machetes or heads are mauled with wire cutters, all in an effort to retrieve a 2-cent hook. These fisherman regard turtles as pests and believe they are doing nothing wrong. Turtles are tossed onto the bank and many turtles live for several days before dying.

This is a common problem in northern Florida in the Tallahassee area, especially at Lake Jackson, Lake Iamonia, the Ochlockonee River, and ponds and lakes in the Apalachicola National Forest.

For example, in the winter and spring of 2000, fisherman killed or maimed at least 50 turtles at the Meginnis Arm of Lake Jackson where turtles had concentrated after 750 acres of the southern part of the lake dried. Unfortunately, there are no wildlife laws that protect turtles from this abuse.

Trachemys scripta decapitated by fisherman,
Lake Jackson, Leon Co., Florida