Diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) currently face population loss along their broad coastal North American range, spanning from Massachusetts down to Texas. This species is suggested to be an important indicator of environmental change within the limited brackish water habitat along the coastlines. Terrapin mortality predominantly stems from human activities, such as commercial and recreational blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) trapping. Once caught in one of many crab pots littered throughout their aquatic habitat, terrapins can easily drown in several hours upon capture. In reviewing published research, the use of bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) have been shown to reduce the number of caught terrapins by limiting the size of crab pot funnels. Use of BRDs does not alter the number of blue crabs that are trapped, but greatly reduce the number of terrapins that are caught. If the number of mature terrapin adults continues to decline at the rate which research suggests, populations may never recover. It’s imperative that the use of BRDs and other modes of bycatch reduction be implemented throughout the terrapin’s range in order to aid in population restorations, as it has been demonstrated that their use does not impede on the efficiency of the crabbing industry and their benefits far outweigh any consequences.
