In conjunction with the internationally recognized May 23 celebration of World Turtle Day®, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) along with representatives from Seatuck Environmental Association, Hofstra University, The Nature Conservancy, and Save the Great South Bay will demonstrate turtle excluder devices (TEDs) which were recently required by DEC to lessen the by-catch of diamondback terrapins from crabbing operations in New York’s marine and coastal districts.

Diamondback terrapins live in brackish waters associated with the lower Hudson River, Long Island Sound, Peconic Bay, and the coastal embayments along the south shore of Long Island. In 2015, the New York State Wildlife Action Plan identified diamondback terrapins as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need due to documented threats from habitat loss, nest predation, and incidental capture from fishing-related operations. In September 2017, DEC announced it was adopting regulations to eliminate commercial harvest of diamondback terrapins and add the species to the list of native turtles with no open season.

                What:  Staff from DEC, Seatuck Environmental Association, Hofstra University, The Nature Conservancy and Save the Great South Bay will:

• Discuss recent DEC regulation changes.

• Demonstrate how TED devices work on crab pots.
• Discuss diamondback terrapin biology and ecology. A live terrapin(s) will be available along with a shell exhibit.
• Show a Nature Conservancy video featuring local baymen discussing TED devices.        

                  Who:              

• Jim Gilmore, DEC Director of Marine Resources
• Enrico G. Nardone, Executive Director Seatuck Environmental Association
• Russell Burke, Professor Hofstra University
• Carl LoBue, Nature Conservancy NY Ocean Programs Director
• Marshall Brown, President and Co-Founder Save the Great South Bay

Where:  Suffolk County Environmental Center (Scully Estate), 550 S. Bay Ave., Islip

When:   Wednesday, May 23 at 11 a.m.

DEC Contact: Bill Fonda or Aphrodite Montalvo at (631) 444-0350. Day of Event – (516) 808-2731.
Nature Conservancy Contact: Kara Jackson at (631) 487-1928.