TSA Magazine Archives
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1
DRAFT – not for distribution
Position Statement on The Negative Effects of Maryland Style Crab Pots on Diamondback
Terrapin Populations and the Use of Bycatch Reduction Devices as a Practical, Inexpensive
Solution
Diamondback Terrapins are estuarine turtles whose range and habitat overlaps with the use of
“Maryland style” crab pots (2’x2’x2’ with funnel entries on two or all four sides) used widely in the
commercial and recreational harvest of blue crabs. Crab pots have been shown to substantially,
negatively affect terrapin populations in multiple states, and the bycatch problem with crab pots is
pervasive throughout the terrapin’s range along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Massachusetts to
Texas. In every study to date, a simple bycatch reduction device (BRD) has been shown to reduce
terrapin bycatch mortality in crab pots, with the net crab catch across all studies largely unchanged.
Therefore, it is the position of the Diamondback Terrapin Working Group (DTWG) that all commercial
and recreational “Maryland style” crab pots be fitted with a BRD on each entrance funnel into the crab
pot. Further, all states with commercial and recreational blue crab fisheries within the range of the
Diamondback Terrapin must have regulations requiring all Maryland style crab pots manufactured,
sold, or used within the state to be fitted with BRDs when fished. Finally, states should enforce BRD
compliance with routine checks of commercial and recreational crab pots when fished.
The Problem
The scientific literature documenting terrapin mortality in Maryland style blue crab pots and the
devastating impacts on terrapin populations is clear (reviewed by Chambers and Maerz, 2019). Bycatch
in Maryland style crab pots have been linked to declines of terrapin populations in New Jersey,
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Terrapins enter Maryland
style crab pots and because they need to breath air, usually drown when they are entrapped underwater
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