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The conservation status, ecology, and cultural importance of sea turtles at the three Polynesian atolls of Tokelau are presented. The green turtle, Chelonia mydas. is the most common species, occurring as a migrant breeder mostly during September through November. The hawks- bill, Eretmochelvs imbricata. is present in small numbers at all three atolls, but nesting is only known at Nukunonu Atoll. A third species, the loggerhead, Caretta caretta. has also been recorded on rare occasions. In Tokelau, sea turtles are considered "sacred fish" (ika ha) that must be shared among the entire village by an equitable system known as inati. The number of sea turtles has declined within historical times apparently as a result of modern and more efficient hunting methods.

The South Pacific Region has been designated by the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme as a "concentration area" in which UNEP, in close co-operation with ESCAP and other relevant components of the UN system, working through the established co-operative regional agencies - the South Pacific Commission (SPC) and the South Pacific Bureau for Economic Co-operation (SPEC) - will fulfil its catalytic role by fostering the design and adoption of a regional Action Plan by the countries of the region.