Shell smugglers caught in co

[Scotti Adams]

Here’s a cautionary story for those bluegrassers who prefer the tone of tortoise shell picks.

Agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have indicted 10 people after a multi-year investigation for smuggling hawksbill tortoise shells as well as finished guitar picks and fiddle bows into the US from China. The hawksbill tortoise is listed as an endangered species under US law and commercial trade of such items is prohibited.

The value of the confiscated material was estimated at $8,000 and sentences may range between six and twelve months in jail and up to $20,000 in fines.

The Environmental News Service quotes the prosecutor in this case:

“Trafficking in endangered species doesn’t pay,” said Troy Eid, U.S. attorney for the District of Colorado. “We will pursue these offenders across the globe to help save sea turtles for future generations.”

[Steve Cat]

So are you saying my preferences as a Swede might pay? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sleepy.gif

[kudzuklunker]

Does anyone know if it is illeagal to use the shell that has been used for other things? Example, if a few picks are made from an old tortoise pick guard or other older items made of tortoise shell.

[Flowerpot]

Interesting article. I'm glad they are stopping it at the source (more or less), as the folks arrested were Chinese nationals who were caught in the act of bringing the material across international borders. May the turtles live long and prosper.

Though I am no lawyer, what is specifically prohibited in the Endangered Species Act (I've read it all the way through) is engaging in interstate commerce in the material. Exceptions are made for antique pieces which were made prior to a certain year (ivory scrimshaw items are used as as example, and I think tortoise shell jewelry would fall under the category), which are legal to trade if they are old enough. But the legal items can not have been altered or repaired with any post-ban material. Very old picks would also be exempt, I suppose, but who can tell their age? But in contrast to so many drug laws, simple posession does not SEEM to constitute a crime, only interstate commerce (again, I'm no lawyer, just going from what I've read). My non-professional opinion is that converting an antique piece into picks is probably a legal gray area, and like most things legal, it doesn't mean much until hammered out in court. But in any case I hope that the enforcement of the law continues in its present direction, nabbing poachers and smugglers who are in clear defiance of the intent of the international laws.

[Jason Holmes]

I've heard of people pulling old shell pieces off of antique jewelry boxes and the like to make picks. I doubt that the authorities care about the guy/gal who takes an old, existing piece off of something to use it in some other way, I think they're really more concerned with the folks who are currently facilitating the trade/poaching of a now protected species.