Illicit turtle and egg sales on rise in Arakan State

By Admin 14 Mar 2023

DMG Newsroom
14 March 2023, Sittwe

Turtles and their eggs are sold widely in some markets in Arakan State despite a ban on poaching and the selling of endangered species of turtles.

Turtle eggs are currently on sale at the central market in Maungdaw as if it was legal, according to resident Ma Than Yi.

“I saw eggs being sold at the market. They were selling three Pyinthar turtle eggs for 10,000 kyats. I don’t mean to suggest I have previously never seen turtle eggs being sold. In the past, some impoverished people who found a nest would come and sell the eggs covertly. But turtle eggs are now being sold openly at the market, as if it was legal,” she said.

Turtle eggs can also be found for sale online now, in addition to being sold at markets in Sittwe, Maungdaw and Kyaukphyu townships.

A Sittwe resident said she saw turtle eggs being sold at bazaars in the Arakan State capital. 

“There have been more sellers these days. Last year, eggs were only sold in Myoma market. But this year, they are being sold in ward bazaars. Previously, an egg was sold for between 3,500 kyats and 4,000 kyats. As there have been more sellers, the prices have dropped. So, more people have started to buy turtle eggs,” she said.

A Kyaukphyu resident said that he also saw turtle meat being sold at a market last month. “Turtle meat was sold by the viss,” he said.

According to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation, 577 species of wildlife are granted “totally protected” status in Myanmar, and 914 other species are “protected”. Turtles are classified as totally protected animals.

Poaching of totally protected animals is punishable by three to 10 years in prison under the 2018 Conservation of Biodiversity and Protected Area Law.

The sale of turtles and their eggs has risen and become more brazen due to the inaction of law enforcement authorities and a failure to educate the public, according to locals.

Members of the public can report to fisheries department offices in their respective townships if they spot the catching or selling of turtles or their eggs, said an official of the Arakan State Fisheries Department.

“Departments will take action in line with the law. We have successfully stopped the selling of turtles and eggs in Manaung by threatening legal action,” said the official.

Myanmar’ turtle populations could be wiped out over the next 20 years to 50 years if they continue to be poached and sold for meat, turtle conservation groups have told DMG.

A female turtle lays around 100 eggs at one time, and is capable of laying eggs two to three times per year.