The green sea turtle population (Chelonia mydas) has achieved a remarkable recovery milestone, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announcing that its Red List status has improved from Endangered to Least Concern. This success marks decades of coordinated global conservation that have reversed the tide for one of the world’s most iconic marine species.

A Keystone Species Rebounding

Green turtles serve as keystone species in tropical marine ecosystems, helping maintain the balance of coral reefs and seagrass meadows. Beyond their ecological role, they hold deep cultural, culinary, and spiritual significance for coastal communities across the globe.

Found in tropical and subtropical waters, the green sea turtle population has grown by nearly 28% since the 1970s, according to the IUCN. This resurgence reflects how sustained protection, community participation, and international cooperation can bring long-lived species back from the brink of extinction.

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Conservation Efforts Driving Recovery

According to the IUCN statement at its ongoing Congress in Abu Dhabi, successful recovery efforts have focused on:

• Protecting nesting females and their eggs on beaches

• Promoting community-led conservation programs to curb unsustainable harvesting

• Curtailing illegal trade and consumption

• Implementing Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) and bycatch reduction in fisheries

Countries such as Ascension Island, Brazil, Mexico, and Hawaii have seen some of the most significant rebounds, with certain subpopulations nearing pre-commercial exploitation levels.

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 Persistent Threats and Challenges

Despite this progress, green turtles remain vulnerable compared to pre-colonial populations. Historical overexploitation and the ongoing commercial harvesting of turtles and eggs continue to pose threats. Unsustainable coastal development and fishing practices destroy vital nesting habitats, while climate change further compounds these challenges.

In the Southwest Pacific, where Raine Island, Australia, hosts the world’s largest green turtle nesting site, consecutive years of reduced hatchling success have raised alarm among conservationists.

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A Lesson in Global Conservation

“The ongoing global recovery of the green turtle is a powerful example of what coordinated global conservation over decades can achieve to stabilise and even restore populations of long-lived marine species,” said Roderic Mast, Co-Chair of IUCN’s Marine Turtle Specialist Group.

He emphasized that conservation must focus not only on the species but also on the health of their habitats. Healthy oceans and coasts are essential for both sea turtles and humans. Sustained, science-based action will be key to ensuring that this hard-won recovery endures for generations to come.

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