A major new effort is needed to save the Pacific's dwindling sea turtle population, with regional cooperation vital to protect the endangered international travellers, scientists warned today.

The Worldfish Centre, an international research group based in Malaysia, has called a conference of experts for next week to draft a national action plan as part of a global drive to prevent the extinction of some turtle species.

The independent organisation, funded by private foundations and governments, said in a statement that turtle populations in Malaysia and the Pacific "have experienced steep decline for the past two decades and many are in serious trouble but they can still be saved".

"As sea turtles are international travellers this will require more effective and coordinated action across national boundaries, including stronger regional and international agreements to respond to the needs of conservation," the group said.

"It may also require a dramatic shift in the way Malaysia's turtle populations are managed and protected, and (for) scientists, conservationists and policy-makers to join forces and collaborate."

Excessive egg collection

Action needed includes better efforts to provide alternative sources of income for the poor who harvest turtle eggs for sale, with excessive egg collection one of the biggest threats to the turtles, the scientists said.

Other strategies include more scientific research on how many turtles are lost to fishing gear and how to limit the "terrible toll" taken by nets and lines, establishing more nesting sites as sanctuaries and increased funding for conservation work.

"Endangered sea turtles can be successfully protected and restored, as has been demonstrated in some parts of the world.

"Protecting nesting beaches, for example, has been shown to work in restoring sea turtle populations in the Gulf of Mexico and South Africa," the statement said.

The conference on Monday and Tuesday next week will be attended by more than 40 specialists from Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Australia and the United States.