Va. watermen push back against terrapin protections on crab pots

By: Shannon Heckt

Outlets: Virginia Mercury

Published: February 3, 2026

Words: 682

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

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The northern diamondback terrapin is one of Virginia’s species in greatest need of protection, conservation groups say. But a bill that’s working through the state legislature to reduce the number of the terrapins that drown in Chesapeake Bay crab pots met pushback this week from fishermen who say it could impede their trade.

Dozens of Virginia watermen traveled to Richmond Monday to voice their concerns about House Bill 1013, which would have required bycatch …

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