Sea turtles have navigated Earth's oceans for over 100 million years, but hunting, egg poaching, and fishing gear brought several species to the brink in the 20th century. Decades of beach monitoring, nest protection, and bycatch reduction rules have helped turn things around in places. For some populations, such as loggerheads in Greece and green turtles in Florida, nest counts are rising.
100 Million Years, Nearly Ended
Sea turtles have navigated Earth's oceans for 100 million years. In the 20th century, humans nearly ended that run in a few decades, through egg poaching, bycatch in fishing nets, coastal development, and plastic pollution.
Signs of Recovery
But sustained conservation has made a difference. Loggerhead nesting in Greece is strong: in 2025, Kyparissia Bay recorded about 6,100 nests, 74% above its average of the previous twelve years. Green turtle nest counts in Florida have been trending upward.
>> "Protect the beach, and the turtles will come, one of the simplest lessons of sea turtle conservation."
Turtle excluder devices in shrimp nets, lighting ordinances on nesting beaches, and international protections have all contributed. The leatherback remains in serious trouble, but for several species, the numbers are trending the right way.
_Sources: WWF-UK, "Marine turtles" species page. NOAA Fisheries, "Leatherback turtle" and "Green turtle" species pages. ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, 2025 season summary._