KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- The leatherback turtle is shying away from Malaysian shores because its eggs have become a gastronomical delight among connoisseurs in Terengganu.

Unless urgent action is taken, the prevalence and tradition of turtle egg consumption amongst locals will contribute to the eventual extinction of the turtles, according to a study by World Wide Fund for Nature-Malaysia (WWF-Malaysia).

For starters, 91 per cent of turtle eggs are sourced from Pasar Payang in Kuala Terengganu.

According to the study, 'Marine Turtle Egg Consumption and Trade in Malaysia', consumption was catching up as turtle eggs were widely sold at markets in Terengganu.

WWF-Malaysia has disclosed that 422,000 eggs were traded in Terengganu in 2007 -- exceeding double the number of green turtle nestings in the state.

"One of the contributing factors to the disappearance of the leatherback turtle from our shores is egg consumption," said WWF-Malaysia executive director/chief executive officer Datuk Dr Dionysius Sharma in a statement today.

"A change in attitude and behaviour is needed to turn the tide, if we want to ensure the survival of the turtles," he said.

Dr Sharma said WWF-Malaysia was advocating for an amendment to the Federal Constitution which would allow the government to impose a national ban on consumption and commercial sale of turtle eggs.