Shopee blacklists trade of turtle eggs

PETALING JAYA: Online shopping platform Shopee has blacklisted trade of turtle eggs on its site and has acted against the seller, while the Fisheries Department has taken steps to beef up turtle conservation efforts.

This came after news that turtle eggs were being sold online during the movement control order (MCO) period.

According to reports, more turtles are landing on empty beaches as people stay home.

Egged on: Turtle eggs are being sold on social media rampantly.

Shopee regional managing director Ian Ho said the sale of animal and wildlife products would not be tolerated, as stated in its prohibited and restricted items policy.

“We have removed the listing and banned the seller from our platform, as well as blacklisted the trade of turtle eggs. Our listing team will screen product listings regularly to make sure they do not violate our policies.

“If products are found to be illegal or do not meet our stringent standards, we will remove the product listings and take swift action against the sellers, ” Ho said in a statement.

Recently, social media users and environmentalists had urged Shopee to act against a seller peddling Terengganu turtle eggs for just RM7.90 on the platform.

A survey by The Star found that turtle eggs were also being sold on social media platforms for as low as RM3.50 each.

Ho urged users to reach out to Shopee if they encounter similar listings on its platform.

“Users are required to adhere to our policies as well as the local policies, regulations and restrictions set by various governmental agencies and regulatory bodies. We will take stern action against users who do not comply with these standards, ” he said.

The public can reach out to Shopee at [e-mail] or call 03-2777 9222 (Monday to Sunday – 9am to 6pm, including public holidays) to report illegal products.

A source from the Fisheries Department said while laws on the sale and consumption of turtle eggs differ according to the respective states, the government will be beefing up awareness campaigns against its consumption at the federal level.

The sale and consumption of eggs for all species of turtles are banned in Sabah and Sarawak.

In Terengganu, only the sale of leatherback turtle eggs are prohibited under the Terengganu Turtle Enactment 1951.

Recently, Terengganu Agriculture, Agro-based Industries and Rural Development Committee chairman Dr Azman Ibrahim said the state government is looking into ways to amend the law.

The source added that the department is in the process of establishing regulations for the management and preservation of turtles at the federal level.

“We hope that a uniform regulation could be implemented to effectively manage and conserve the turtles in all states.

“At present, public education and awareness programmes are being implemented focusing on various segments of the society.

“It also includes programmes with the private sector under the corporate social responsibility programmes, ” said the source.