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Abstract:
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This document addresses the issues of conservation and management techniques
exercised by two different state agencies. Both of the agencies, the Maryland
Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Virginia Department of Game and Inland
Fisheries (VDGIF) have similar techniques and strategies to conserve the populations of
their endangered species. This document studies two cases, one pertaining to each
department. Both agencies have created a task force to specifically research and study
the given species as well make suggestions on regulations specific to the species of that
state. The Virginia case study researches the effects of human interactions upon the
Wood Turtle (Clemnys insculpta). It also discusses the strategies and techniques with
which the departments plan to positively affect their population. Much of the regulations
pertain to the protection and isolation of nesting sites for the Wood Turtle mainly due to
the communal sites and easy predation to which they are susceptible. The second study
pertains to the regulations and their affects on the populations of Maryland’s
Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). This further discusses how the fishery
was once found to be in drastic decline, but due to the regulations and their enforcement
has seen an increase in population. However, the agency still has in effect strict policies
to prevent a relapse in populations. Many of the regulations mandate for a By-Catch
Reduction Device, to prevent the accidental capture of Diamondback Terrapins in eel and
crab pots. The results of both sets of regulations are compared to determine which of the
two agencies is making the better effort in conserving two species that are both
endangered. |
