The trade of tortoiseshell, which is made from the shells of larger species of tortoise and turtle, has been banned in many countries since the 1990s. However, the laws and enforcement surrounding the trade and possession of tortoiseshell vary across different countries and regions. In the United States, it is illegal to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase endangered wildlife products across state lines or in foreign commerce. Similarly, in Nevada, it is illegal to collect or disturb the remains of the Mojave desert tortoise, a protected species under state law. On the other hand, Japan has a thriving domestic trade in hawksbill sea turtle products, which is driving the species towards extinction. Two other countries, Grenada and Palau, also permit a legal domestic trade in hawksbill products. The variation in laws and enforcement across countries highlights the complex nature of the tortoiseshell trade and the ongoing challenges in protecting endangered tortoise and turtle species.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Countries that allow tortoise shell trade | Japan, Cuba, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, China, North America, Europe |
Countries that don't allow tortoise shell trade | Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Cuba, UK, USA |
International laws | CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) |
International organizations | WWF, SEE Turtles |
Apps | See Shell App |
Items made from tortoise shell | Jewelry, souvenirs, combs, small boxes and frames, inlays in furniture, guitar picks, knitting needles, spectacle frames |
Tortoise species | Hawksbill sea turtle, Mojave desert tortoise, Hermann's tortoise, Greek Spur Thigh tortoise, leopard tortoise, sulcata tortoise |
What You'll Learn
- International trade of tortoise shell is banned under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)
- The US Fish & Wildlife Service prohibits the import, export, transport, sale, receipt, acquisition, or purchase of endangered wildlife or their products
- Nevada's desert tortoise is a protected species under state law and the Endangered Species Act
- Tortoise shell products are sold illegally in Central America and Southeast Asia
- Japan's domestic trade of tortoise shell is legal and continues to threaten the species
International trade of tortoise shell is banned under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)
The hawksbill sea turtle is a critically endangered species, largely due to the exploitation of its shell for trade. The large size, fine colour, and unusual form of the hawksbill's scutes make it especially suitable for the production of tortoise shell items. The distinctive patterning of the shell has been referred to in the names of other animals, such as the tortoiseshell cat and several breeds of guinea pig.
Tortoiseshell, also known as bekko in Japanese, has been widely used since ancient times in the North and in Asia. The beautiful mottled appearance, durability, and organic warmth of the shell against the skin made it attractive to manufacturers and consumers. It was used, normally in thin slices or pieces, to manufacture a wide variety of items such as combs, small boxes and frames, inlays in furniture, and other items like spectacle frames, guitar picks, and knitting needles.
The initial processing of tortoiseshell involved separating the layers of the scutes from the animal's carapace by heating, softening the plates by boiling them in saltwater, and flattening them under a press. Craftsmen in various Asian countries have perfected the art of working with tortoiseshell.
Due to the threat posed to hawksbill sea turtles, the international trade of tortoise shell was banned in 1973 under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). This agreement has been signed by 173 governments, including the 172 member countries of CITES, which are obligated to uphold the ban. Despite the ban, the demand for shells continues today on the black market, especially in Japan, where the use of bekko dates back more than 300 years.
The ban on the international trade of tortoise shell is crucial for the survival of hawksbill sea turtles. The enforcement of this ban by CITES member countries is essential to ensure the protection and recovery of hawksbill populations worldwide.
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The US Fish & Wildlife Service prohibits the import, export, transport, sale, receipt, acquisition, or purchase of endangered wildlife or their products
The US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is responsible for regulating the international movement of wildlife into, out of, and through the United States. This includes the import, export, transport, sale, receipt, acquisition, or purchase of endangered wildlife or their products. The USFWS defines wildlife broadly to include any wild animal, whether alive or dead, and any part or product of that animal. This definition covers a wide range of species, from mammals and birds to reptiles, amphibians, fish, mollusks, crustaceans, and more.
The USFWS's Office of Law Enforcement ensures that these activities comply with the USFWS's regulations, as well as relevant US laws such as the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and international treaties like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The USFWS provides resources such as fact sheets, public bulletins, annual reports, and electronic declaration and permit systems to facilitate compliance with its requirements.
The USFWS's regulations apply to a range of entities, including businesses and individuals engaged in commerce, animal and pet dealers, trade show participants, collectors, commercial laboratories, circuses, and scientific and academic institutions. The USFWS's website provides specific guidance and tips for travelers transporting wildlife, highlighting the need for prior declaration and the use of designated ports for wildlife shipments.
Tortoise shell, derived from the shells of larger tortoise and turtle species, particularly the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle, has been widely used for various items since ancient times. However, the trade of tortoise shell was banned internationally under CITES in 1973 and domestically in the US in 1990. As a result, buying and selling turtle shell products are now illegal in most countries, although illegal sales persist in some Central American and Southeast Asian nations.
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Nevada's desert tortoise is a protected species under state law and the Endangered Species Act
The trade of tortoiseshell has been banned since the 1990s, and it is illegal to buy or sell turtle shell products in most countries. However, illegal sales continue in many Central American and Southeast Asian countries.
In the United States, the Mojave desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii, is a protected species under state law and the Endangered Species Act. It was listed under the Endangered Species Act in 1989 and is also protected under the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC 503 080).
As a protected species, it is illegal to touch, disturb, harass, harm, poach, or bother a Mojave desert tortoise in any way. It is also illegal to collect tortoise remains. If you see a wild tortoise in danger, such as on a busy road, you can help it by picking it up slowly from the front, holding it level, and moving it off the road in the direction it was heading. It is important to place it in the shade, such as under a shrub, and then leave it alone.
If you find a wild tortoise in an urban area, it may be someone's lost pet. You can try to find the owner by putting up flyers or posting on local websites like Nextdoor or the Tortoise Group's Lost and Found page. If no one claims it, you can keep it as a pet, but you must register it on the Tortoise Group website and make it live outdoors.
It is important to note that breeding pet desert tortoises does not promote the survival and recovery of the species in the wild. Indiscriminate propagation and release of pet tortoises can harm wild populations by introducing diseases or unsuited genetic strains. Therefore, state and federal wildlife agencies recommend having only one tortoise per household and keeping males and females separate to prevent breeding.
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Tortoise shell products are sold illegally in Central America and Southeast Asia
The trade of tortoiseshell, which is produced from the shells of larger species of tortoise and turtle, was banned in 2014. However, tortoise shell products continue to be sold illegally in Central America and Southeast Asia.
The hawksbill sea turtle, a critically endangered species, is the primary source of tortoiseshell. The distinctive patterning and colour of its shell, along with its large size and unusual form, make it particularly desirable. Despite the ban, hawksbill sea turtles continue to be hunted for their shells, which are used to create jewellery and souvenirs in many tropical countries.
Central America and Southeast Asia are regions where the illegal trade of tortoise shell products persists. In countries like Nicaragua, local artisans produce and sell items such as bracelets made from tortoise shells. Airports, such as the Managua International Airport in Nicaragua, have also been implicated in the trade, with sea turtle shell bracelets available for sale.
The demand for tortoise shell products in these regions poses a significant threat to the survival of the hawksbill sea turtle species. The illegal trade undermines conservation efforts and contributes to the decline of their population.
To combat the illegal trade, travellers play a crucial role in identifying and avoiding the purchase of souvenirs made from tortoise shells. By refraining from buying such products, travellers can help reduce the demand that fuels the illegal trade. Additionally, education and awareness campaigns can empower consumers to make informed choices and support the protection of vulnerable species like the hawksbill sea turtle.
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Japan's domestic trade of tortoise shell is legal and continues to threaten the species
The trade of tortoise shell souvenirs is banned in most countries. However, it continues to be sold illegally in many Central American and Southeast Asian countries. Japan, for instance, has a thriving domestic trade in tortoise shell products, which is threatening the already critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles.
Japan's Role in the Illegal Trade of Tortoise Shell
The Japanese have been renowned for their craftsmanship in tortoise shell, known as "bekko", since 1700. The country was the world's largest market for tortoise shell in the 20th century, with government records from 1950 to 1992 documenting imports of more than 1.3 million large hawksbills and 575,000 stuffed juveniles. The Japanese demand for tortoise shell drove the trade and caused wild populations of hawksbill sea turtles to plummet, leading to their classification as critically endangered.
Weak Regulation and Enforcement in Japan
A report by WWF, TRAFFIC, and the Japan Tiger and Elephant Fund (JTEF) highlights weak regulation and enforcement in Japan as a likely facilitator of the illegal trade. The report reveals that the lack of oversight of domestic trade and lax legislation are contributing factors. For instance, domestic legislation relies primarily on manufacturers self-reporting their transaction records and stockpile balances, and most tortoise shell products are exempt from registration requirements.
The Impact of the Domestic Trade on Hawksbill Sea Turtles
The ongoing trade in Japan is hampering the recovery of hawksbill sea turtles. Despite international pressure and the 1994 ban on international trade, Japan's domestic trade continues legally, threatening the species. The report by WWF and partners calls for Japan to tighten control of stockpiles and domestic trade regulations and strengthen law enforcement to address this issue.
The Way Forward
To protect hawksbill sea turtles and end the illegal trade of tortoise shell, a combination of strong laws, enforcement, and education of consumers is necessary. The education of the public about the relationship between wild populations and wildlife-derived products is crucial in preventing the exploitation of vulnerable species.
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Frequently asked questions
Traveling with tortoise shells will likely cause problems in most countries, as the trade of tortoise shell is banned under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
If caught, one may face serious legal consequences, including jail time and hefty fines. For example, a woman spent 10 months in jail and paid a $10,000 fine for illegally importing tortoise shells from China.
There are several synthetic substitutes for tortoise shells, including Tortoloid and Tor-tis, as well as materials such as stained horn, cellulose acetate, and other plastics like Delrin.