This archive report was first published on 29 October 2019.
Lamu Residents Demand Freedom to Eat Sea Turtles Without Restrictions ¶
Residents of Lamu County in Kenya are calling on the government to allow them to eat sea turtles without restrictions, citing their supposed health benefits.
According to a report by the Nation newspaper on June 6, 2019, the community believes that consuming sea turtle meat and its products can boost male energy.
However, the demand for sea turtles has led to a shortage, resulting in decreased male energy among men in the region.
"There are areas where we can release the turtles, and there are already customers waiting," said Sajini Mahadhi Malau, a police officer in the area, as quoted by the Nation.
Malau added that some people are even willing to pay for the privilege of eating sea turtle meat, with some green turtles being sold at a premium.
Other sea creatures believed to have aphrodisiac properties include oysters and octopuses.
However, the community's claims about the health benefits of sea turtle meat have not been scientifically proven.
The hunting and consumption of sea turtles has been declining due to conservation efforts and the increasing difficulty of finding them in the wild.
