Green Sea Turtles Make A Comeback — No Longer Endangered!

October 22, 2025

In an inspiring victory for wildlife conservation, green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) have officially been removed from the endangered species list.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) announced that the species has improved in status from Endangered to Least Concern — a remarkable comeback decades in the making.

A beautiful green sea turtle

Once on the brink due to overharvesting and habitat loss, green sea turtles have seen their global population rise by approximately 28% since the 1970s. The IUCN credits this success to sustained global conservation efforts that protected nesting females and their eggs, reduced illegal trade, and limited accidental capture in fishing gear through innovations like Turtle Excluder Devices.

The recovery has been especially strong in Ascension Island, Brazil, Mexico, and Hawaii, where turtle populations have rebounded to near pre-commercial exploitation levels.

Green sea turtles now sit at Least Concern / IUCN

Found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, green sea turtles play a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems such as seagrass meadows and coral reefs. Beyond their ecological importance, they’ve also held deep cultural, spiritual, and culinary significance for communities across the globe for thousands of years.

While some subpopulations still face challenges, the species’ reclassification marks a powerful example of what can be achieved through global cooperation, local engagement, and long-term commitment to conservation.

After decades of effort, these gentle ocean giants are finally swimming toward a brighter future.