Is turtle a illegal food delicacy in the U.S.????

Question

My friends brought me to eat at this one Asian restaurant down here in OC california and this waitor brought out a live turtle (it's pretty big, too), yes, a live one and asked us if we wanted turtle soup....the place specializes in spicy soups btw

they have all kinds of stuff, alligator meat, lamb, etc..

We just had the regular beef and seafood stuff for our soup, but I was so turned when he brought out that turtle to our table, i can eat other stuff, but not turtle, they're too cute

ARe turtles even legal at any restaurant

Answer 1

My Adobe Reader will not open...

so here is the CA dept of F&G

http://search.ca.gov/search?q=Turtles&ou...

the answer is ????

commercially raised game (turtles) is ok I think..

but how the health dept checks the resturant for  Salmonella..?

well you check..

Answer 2

no, but don't eat it anyway

Answer 3

Certain species of sea turtles are illegal to catch (and eat). Fresh water turtles are eaten in many places... the meat is actually quite good - makes great tacos.

Answer 4

No, frozen turtle in the shell is sold at many asian marts. There are several stores here in Austin, Tx. and in Seattle, Wa (where I used to live).

Answer 5

They are illegal in Hawaii....for sure!!

Answer 6

You haven't gone to Cajun restaurants lately. Turtle soup is served at some Southern style restaurants as well as some fancy Eastern diners. .

Answer 7

yes!I live in north carolina and turtle(cooters)can  be trapped or taken by live bait on a hook(snapping turtles only), but why any one would want to is beond me, the cleaning process is beyoned hard and you better have some good gloves cause your going to get cut