New Straits Times 25 May 14;
MALACCA: People should stop eating sea turtle meat and eggs as they pose a health risk, said Fisheries Department deputy director-general (development) Datuk Ismail Abu Hassan.
He said contrary to belief that sea turtle eggs were nutritious and could boost fertility, they contained a high amount of cholesterol.
Sea turtle eggs, he said, had four times more cholesterol than chicken eggs.
"Research showed that sea turtle meat contains a high level of heavy metals, which could cause health problems," he said in Muara Sungai Duyong here yesterday.
Ismail said efforts must be made to safeguard the endangered species.
He said the state government was monitoring a hawksbill landing and nesting habitat in Pulau Upeh, now in a critical state as a result of sea reclamation works.
He warned developers to comply with the law to avoid damaging surrounding areas.
"We will ask the state authorities, including the land and mineral office and economic planning unit, to make sure developers follow designs for their project."
Pulau Upeh is the largest hawksbill turtle nesting ground in Peninsular Malaysia and the second largest in the country.
