Green Sea Turtles No Longer Endangered After Population Bounces Back from Near Extinction, Experts Say

During the recent International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress held in Abu Dhabi, conservationists announced that the green sea turtle has officially moved from Endangered to Least Concern status — marking a major victory for global wildlife protection efforts. According to an IUCN press release, this shift reflects “decades of sustained conservation action.”

The organization reported that global green sea turtle populations have increased by roughly 28% since the 1970s, even as some local groups still face persistent threats. Found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, green turtles play a crucial role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems such as seagrass meadows and coral reefs, while also holding deep cultural and spiritual importance in many coastal communities.

The news came as part of the latest update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, unveiled at the Congress on October 10. Established in 1964, the Red List remains the world’s most comprehensive resource for assessing the global conservation status of animal, plant, and fungi species. Beyond tracking extinction risks, the Red List serves as a key indicator of global biodiversity health, guiding policy and conservation strategies worldwide. It includes detailed data on population size, habitat, range, trade, and threats to inform critical decisions.

In its announcement, the IUCN highlighted several ongoing strategies behind the green turtle’s recovery. These include protecting nesting females and their eggs on beaches, expanding local initiatives to curb unsustainable harvesting, reducing illegal trade, and employing Turtle Excluder Devices to limit accidental capture in fishing gear. Conservation efforts in locations such as Ascension Island, Brazil, Mexico, and Hawaii have been particularly effective, with some populations rebounding to near-historic levels.

However, experts caution that challenges persist. Green turtle populations remain significantly lower than before large-scale exploitation began centuries ago. Major sources of mortality include illegal harvesting, egg collection, and fisheries bycatch. Habitat degradation from climate change and coastal development continues to threaten nesting beaches, with the IUCN noting particular concern for the Southwest Pacific’s Raine Island — the world’s largest green turtle rookery — where hatchling production has been declining.

Roderic Mast, co-chair of the IUCN’s Species Survival Commission Marine Turtle Specialist Group, described the development as “a powerful example of what coordinated global conservation over decades can achieve.” He emphasized that protecting both turtles and their habitats is vital, noting that “sea turtles cannot survive without healthy oceans and coasts — and humans can’t either.”

Christine Madden, Global Marine Turtle Conservation Lead at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), echoed that sentiment. “This is a major win for turtle conservation and proof that coordinated action can reverse populations at risk of extinction,” she said in a WWF statement. Madden added that ongoing efforts — including turtle-friendly fishing practices and community-led beach restoration — remain essential to ensure populations continue to thrive.

While the green sea turtle’s comeback represents one of conservation’s most inspiring success stories, experts agree that vigilance and collaboration must continue to secure its long-term future.