John,

Between 60,000 and 80,000 diamondback terrapins drown in crab traps each year. Lured into underwater cages by bait, the beautiful turtles can't escape to breathe — and they die painfully. These drownings have decimated their populations, and they may soon be protected under the Endangered Species Act.

In the meantime there’s a simple and cost-effective solution to the crab-trap problem: bycatch-reduction devices, which narrow traps’ entrances so terrapins can’t get in. Decades of studies have shown that bycatch-reduction devices protect terrapins from crab traps without affecting crab harvests.

The Center for Biological Diversity just petitioned Virginia to require these commonsense devices on all recreational crab traps.

You can help: Tell the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to mandate bycatch-reduction devices and save these beautiful, beloved turtles.