Houghtaling and Downey Bill to Protect Native New Jersey Population of Diamondback Terrapin Clears Assembly

OCEAN TWP – The General Assembly has passed legislation Monmouth County Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey sponsored to protect New Jersey’s dwindling population of diamondback terrapins, a native coastal turtle, that has seen its numbers devastated in recent years by hunting and overdevelopment.

“Having lively Shore communities does not have to be in competition with efforts to preserve and protect our state’s natural resources and natives species,” said Assemblywoman Downey (D-Monmouth). “Conservation and protection of these animals will benefit our coastlines and preserve what makes our state unique for future generations.”

The bill (A2949/S1625) would designate the diamondback terrapin as a “nongame indigenous species,” making it illegal under the state’s Endangered and Nongame Species Conservation Act to catch or take a terrapin in New Jersey. In addition to the endangered-species protection, the legislation would require the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to investigate populations of diamondback terrapins, assessing their habitat needs, limiting factors, and other biological data that would enable development of programs to further protect the state’s population to thrive.

“An extinct population can never be recovered, which is why we have to act now,” said Assemblyman Houghtaling (D-Monmouth). “By taking educated steps now to conserve the current population and plan for the future, we can eliminate the threat of extinction.”

In addition to habitat loss, diamondback terrapin populations have been further decreased by unrestricted harvesting of the turtles due to increased demand from overseas food markets.

The bill was approved unanimously by the General Assembly and now heads through the Senate, where it has already gained approval from the Senate Environment and Energy Committee and awaits a final vote in that body.