Malaysia: Turtle eggs on sale at Serikin market

Sim Bak Heng New Straits Times 10 Jul 13

ILLEGAL TRADE: Foreign traders make a quick buck on weekends

KUCHING: THE popular Serikin weekend market at the Sarawak-West Kalimantan border here now has a reputation for its illegal sale of turtle eggs.

Turtle egg traders from Sambas district across the border would drive two hours to Serikin during the weekends to make a quick profit before returning to their country.

Depending on the season, 13 small-sized eggs would be sold at RM10 and medium-sized ones would be sold at RM11.

These eggs are cheaper than in Terengganu, where 10 eggs go for RM25.

A check by the New Straits Times showed that traders would approach visitors in the market car park.

In the past, female traders would keep the eggs in their handbags to evade the authorities, but now, they carry plastic bags, with smaller bags containing samples inside.

The traders also kept eggs stashed nearby in hidden locations.

They would collect the eggs only when customers requested for more.

The traders would see ask visitors: "Telur?" or they would make the "O" sign with the index finger and thumb to indicate the product.

The most common species of turtle eggs traded are the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate).

The sale and consumption of all turtle eggs is banned in Sabah and Sarawak.

In Terengganu, only the sale and consumption of leatherback turtle eggs is prohibited.

The National Plan of Action for Conservation and Management of Sea Turtles, which was established in 2008, calls for the total ban on the sale and consumption of turtle eggs.

A trader, who wished to remain anonymous, said it was competitive these days.

He said some traders were offering more eggs for the same price to attract buyers.

"As I source my eggs from a supplier, I cannot offer too many eggs. Doing so will hit my profits.

"After all, selling the eggs is risky for us."

Checks also showed that there were six people plying the trade in the car park.

However, there could be more traders selling at stalls that line both sides of the road at the market.

Some traders display the eggs to compete with those in the car park, while others discreetly solicit passers-by.

Potential customers would be led to discreet locations behind the stalls, where paper boxes of eggs, which were available in the hundreds, would be shown to them.

Malaysia Nature Society (MNS) council member Vincent Chow said the national plan of action was well implemented nationwide, with the exception of Sabah.

Under the plan, it is clearly indicated that the harvest of turtle eggs for consumption or commercial use should be banned in all states.

"MNS is of the view that every state should review its policy on sea turtle conservation, which may not be relevant any more.

"A good conservation policy discourages people from eating turtle eggs and not otherwise."