Changes to regulations meant to quell the spread of invasive reptile and amphibian species were passed by Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commissioners.
The final Notice of Intent (NOI) for rule changes to the regulations was approved Thursday, Nov. 7. Commissioner Andy Brister of Lake Providence cast the sole nay vote.
“I’m in favor of caution when it comes to species that have the potential to become invasive,” said Commissioner Gene Reynolds of Dubberly.
Now the NOI will layover for 30 days for a legislative oversight period. The original NOI was introduced during the December 2023 meeting. During the year-long process there were changes in the NOI after talking with stakeholders including turtle farmers.
Some changes to the original NOI were: revising language regarding Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) guidelines to use as a reference rather than a requirement for husbandry practices; revised language regarding potable water so it will be appropriate for the species; revised snake enclosure sizes; licensed turtle farmers are exempt from enclosure sizes for turtles; revised from 120 days to 180 days to register turtles that exceed possession limits; added “native” to the statement regarding box turtle recreational limit; added Pearl River Map Turtle to the section of federal listed species; injurious wildlife rule under the USFMS Lacey Act added; and revised from 120 days to 365 days to register nonnative species on prohibited list.
Also, LDWF officials revised from 120 days to 365 days for persons or businesses to see prohibited nonnative species inventory or surrender inventory to LDWF; revised from 120 days to 365 days to register nonnative species on restricted list and acquire a permit; and moved Brown Tree Snake from the restorative list to the prohibited list.
Hunters want more info
During the public comment period several turtle hunters, venomous snake keepers and turtle farmers spoke against the amendment.
James Hick, an alligator snapping turtle hunter, was not in favor of the amendment, saying commissioners or Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries officials were not aware of turtle numbers.
“Whenever I read over some of the literature in reference to the changes on the NOI, I had some grave concerns,” Hick said. “A lot of the laws we do have in place now are good. But, I do believe we have a pretty common misconception in what exactly is out there and our abilities as a resident to catch and harvest these animals.”
Hick, who started hunting turtles with his grandfather, acknowledged alligator snapping turtles were not as plentiful.
“The law would leave you to believe that the alligator snapping turtle is an endangered species,” Hick said. “I admit they probably don’t have as many of them as they did a 100 years ago. However, the ability to properly catalogue what is exactly out there is an issue that hasn’t been addressed.
“I understand the need to protect all species, and I’m in agreement that everything needs to be regulated to an extent and everything needs to be protected.”
Keith Boudreaux, owner of Tangi Turtle Farm, was also against the amendment. He wanted a written agreement pertaining to how to stock his farm and how, why and when to fill out the application.
“There is not real value in a verbal agreement,” Boudreaux said.
Nonnative species
David Garcia, a lawyer that specializes in state and national exotic wildlife law, was representing individuals who have captive nonnative amphibians.
Through a public records request he found no relative scientific information related to the species that the department seeks to prohibit or restrict.
According to Louisiana state law 56:632A, the commission can only restrict species of reptiles or amphibians provided such a decision is based on accurate biological data or technical information that indicates such a species would interfere in the state’s natural ecosystem.
“There is nothing in those documents that meets the statutory requirements,” Garcia said. “Louisiana is not south Florida. Simply because a species has become established in southern Florida does not justify banning these species in Louisiana.”
Garcia continued to pick through the amendment.
“The commission should not approve these half written amendments,” Garcia said. “The species classifications were rushed and created without the necessary information from stakeholders.”
State Herpetologist Keri Lejeune, who spoke on the amendments, said LDWF took from a “wide variety of sources” for the species list.
“We used a wide variety of sources with this proposed species list,” Lejeune said. “We have gotten way more sightings in Louisiana of other species. We’ve really honed in on the list we have for prohibited species to those that we are really concerned about. The majority of those are the highly venomous snake species.”
After Garcia finished talking to commissioners, Reynolds fired back saying there has been numerous invasive species introduced to Louisiana.
“Being from Louisiana for 73 years, I have seen a lot of species of animals and plants that have been let into Louisiana that has become very invasive,” Reynolds said.
A positive direction for some
There were those who spoke in favor of the amendments. Cory Hillard was one.
“I’m in full support of the amendment,” Hillard said. “I think it is a great thing for Louisiana and its natural resources, and it is a great compromise.”
Michelle Hall with Animal Welfare Institute also supported the amendments and called for stronger regulations.
“(The amendments) are a positive step for managing wild reptile and amphibians in the state, prohibiting invasive species and protecting the welfare of captive species,” Hall said. “While an improvement, we think (the amendments) could be strengthened and clarified.”
