Turtle farming is the practice of raising turtles and tortoises of various species commercially. Raised animals are sold for use as gourmet food,[1][2] traditional medicine ingredients,[1] or as pets.[1][2] Some farms also sell young animals to other farms, either as breeding stock, or more commonly to be raised there to a larger size for subsequent resale.[2]
Turtle farms primarily raise freshwater turtles (primarily, Chinese softshell turtles as a food source[1] and sliders and cooter turtles for the pet trade);[3][4] therefore, turtle farming is usually classified as aquaculture. However, some terrestrial tortoises (e.g. Cuora mouhotii) are also raised on farms for the pet trade.[1]
Only three serious attempts are believed to have been made to farm sea turtles.[5] Only one of them, in Cayman Islands, continues to operate.[5] The one in Australia's Torres Strait Islands folded after a few years of operation,[5] and the one in Réunion has been converted to a public aquarium (Kélonia).[6][7]
- ^ a b c d e Cite error: The named reference
scalewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c Darrell Senneke, "Declared Turtle Trade From the United States - intro page"
- ^ Links from Declared Turtle Trade From the United States - breakdown by species
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
trade51was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c "Ranching and captive breeding". CITES. Archived from the original on 24 July 2013.
- ^ La Ferme Corail: La Compagnie Réunionnaise d’Aquaculture et d’Industrie Littorale (in French) (History of the Réunion farm)
- ^ Just enough space to keep a turtle happy