The Maryland Legislature adopted the following language into state law and became effective July 1, 2007:
Maryland Law:
§ 4-902. Taking or possessing diamondback terrapin for commercial purposes.
(a) Prohibited in general; limit for noncommercial purposes.- Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section:
(1) A person may not take or possess diamondback terrapin for commercial purposes; and
(2) A person may not possess more than three diamondback terrapin for noncommercial purposes.
(b) Permissible catching or possession.- This section does not prohibit:
(1) The incidental catch of diamondback terrapin, provided the diamondback terrapin are returned immediately to the water;
(2) The collection or possession of diamondback terrapin in accordance with the terms of a scientific or educational certificate or permit issued in accordance with § 4-212 [scientific collection permit for egg collection] of this title or § 10-909 [scientific or educational permit] of this article; or
(3) The possession and breeding of diamondback terrapin by a person who holds a valid permit issued by the Department for:
(i) Aquaculture activities under Subtitle 11A of this title; or
(ii) Captive wildlife breeding under Title 10, Subtitle 9 of this article.
(c) Regulations.-
(1) The Department, in consultation with the Maryland Aquaculture Coordinating Council, shall adopt regulations for diamondback terrapin aquaculture and captive breeding before issuing any additional permits relating to diamondback terrapin under Subtitle 11A of this title or Title 10, Subtitle 9 of this article.
(2) The regulations adopted in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include:
(i) Verifiable safeguards to identify legally obtained diamondback terrapin;
(ii) Standards for diamondback terrapin husbandry; and
(iii) Standards for shipping diamondback terrapin.
[An. Code 1957, art. 66C, § 335; 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., ch. 4, § 1; 1983, ch. 579; 2007, chs. 117, 118.]
§ 4-903. Regulations pertaining to diamondback terrapin conservation.
The Department shall adopt regulations governing the conservation of diamondback terrapin.
[An. Code 1957, art. 66C, § 336; 1973, 1st Sp. Sess., ch. 4, § 1; 1983, ch. 8; 2006, ch. 477; 2007, chs. 117, 118.]
§ 13-313. Reptile; mascot.
The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is the State reptile and official mascot of the State's flagship university at College Park.
[1994, ch. 476.]
Maryland Regulations:
08.02.03.07 - Crab Pots.
(6) A crab pot set for recreational purposes shall have a turtle reduction device which:
(a) Is firmly attached to each entrance or funnel in the lower chamber;
(b) Is constructed of wire or plastic;
(c) Is rectangular in shape; and
(d) Has dimensions which do not exceed 1¾ inches high and 4-¾ inches long.
08.03.11.15 - [Terrapins as pets]
.15 Grandfather Clause.
A. A person shall have until March 31, 2008, to declare in writing to the Director possession of each individual:
(1) Eastern painted turtle, midland painted turtle, eastern mud turtle, northern red-bellied cooter, and stinkpot possessed prior to the effective date of this regulation, if the person possesses more than one individual, live or dead;
(2) Diamond-backed terrapin possessed prior to the effective date of these regulations, if the person possesses any individuals taken from the wild;
(3) Copperhead possessed prior to May 31, 2006;
(4) Broad-headed skink, eastern six-lined racerunner, eastern hog-nosed snake, queen snake, or common ribbonsnake possessed prior to the effective date of this regulation, if the person possesses more than one individual, live or dead; or
(5) Eastern mud salamander possessed prior to the effective date of this regulation, live or dead.
B. For each individual reptile or amphibian possessed, the declaration shall include:
(1) Species name;
(2) Number of individuals of each species;
(3) Date acquired;
(4) Sex, if known;
(5) Estimated age;
(6) Length;
(7) Origin; and
(8) Other identifying characteristics or specific markings such as tattoos, registration numbers, PIT tag numbers, coloration, missing limbs, or notched shells.
C. The Department shall acknowledge each declaration in writing. This acknowledgement shall serve as a permit for possession only and is not transferable.
D. The holder of a grandfather permit shall be subject to inspection as described in Regulation .12A of this chapter.
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