But despite all the hype, not many people are aware that regular consumption of the eggs is bad for health.

The reason? A marine turtle egg contains 10 times more cholesterol than a chicken egg.

Marine biologist David Tang from the Marine Conservation Centre, who specialises in marine turtles, said the idea of eating turtle eggs to increase male virility and sexual libido can be thrown out of the window.

He said between 50 and 200 eggs can be harvested illegally in a single day to satisfy locals who consume them.

“Marine turtles are protected under the Fisheries Act 1985 and it is an offence to trade and consume them, including their flesh and eggs,” he said.

Tang added that contrary to popular belief, there is no health benefit in consuming turtle eggs.

"These eggs pack more fat with ill-effects than its taste.

“ Thanks to public awareness and enforcement activities, it’s harder now to find raw turtle eggs in the market, especially in the Klang Valley,” he said.

He said although statistics are much lower in big cities like Kuala Lumpur, a handful of petty traders are still selling turtle eggs in the East Coast.

“Small towns in Terengganu and Kelantan still have turtle eggs for sale. The eggs have become the staple for a majority of the population there.”

Tang said that eating poached or hard-boiled turtle eggs is an age-old practice.

“In the old days, turtle eggs were a source of protein that supplemented the diet of fishermen and their families.

“However, with the availability of chicken eggs as a cheaper alternative, the new generation of coastal dwellers are not as hooked on the eggs.”

He said there are fewer turtle landings in the East Coast, indicating that their population had been drastically reduced.

He added that six species of marine turtles are found in Malaysia – the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys oliviacea), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead (Carreta carreta), flatback (Natator depressus), and the green turtle (Chelonia mydas).

The ban on the trading of leatherback turtle eggs in Kelantan and Terengganu has been effective for more than a decade, but that alone, is not enough.

Tang said poachers have turned to other turtle species and a total ban on harvesting their eggs would be a long-term solution.

“It takes about 30 years for a marine turtle to mature and reproduce. Their mortality rate is high due to over fishing, destruction of habitat and, in our case, consumption of their eggs.”

Only one out of a hundred turtle hatchlings survive and come back to lay eggs on our coast.