Green sea turtles no longer at high risk

THE green sea turtle has made a comeback from the brink of extinction, with populations rebounding after years of conservation efforts.

- By Stephen Beech

The species has been listed as “endangered” since the 1980s after numbers plummeted due to the over-harvesting of their eggs, which are considered a delicacy.

But now numbers have grown by 28% thanks to initiatives including protecting eggs, releasing hatchlings on beaches to avoid accidental capture in fishing nets, and greater protection for nest sites.