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This study investigates the concentration of heavy metals in fresh and un-hatched green turtle eggs from two major nesting beaches in (Ma’Daerah, Terengganu and Cherating, Pahang) Peninsular Malaysia. All five heavy metals (Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb) were detected in the eggs. Statistical analysis shows no significant difference of heavy metals concentration between the yolk of rotten and fresh eggs. Therefore, the yolk of rotten eggs can be used as heavy metals indicator for future study without sacrificing fresh eggs. The level of lead detected exceeded the permissible limits of the Malaysian Food Regulation 1985. The presence of toxic contaminants in sea turtle eggs can be attributed to the chemical pollutants present in their feeding and breeding sites. Sea turtles have long lifespan and can bio-accumulate contaminants from their food, sediment and water. The presence of toxic metals in green turtle eggs may cause health problem for those who likes to consume turtle eggs. This finding is important to increase public awareness on the danger of eating sea turtle eggs as well as to reduce egg collection for human consumption in Malaysia.

The green turtle, Chelonia mydas is listed as endangered species in IUCN Red List of threatened species and under the Appendix I of CITES. This species is threatened by all factors that threaten other sea turtles, including exploitation for eggs, meat, curio trade, loss of nesting and foraging habitat, incidental capture in fishing gears and marine pollution. In Peninsular Malaysia, one of the major reasons that contributed to the decline of green turtle nesting is the excessive collection of eggs for local …