Despite their environment and world having changed profoundly, sea turtles continue to glide serenely through the Earth's seas and oceans, as if time simply washes over them, much as it did three hundred million years ago, when they first appeared. If during previous geological periods these marine reptiles had only predators to watch out for, today the range of threats they face is far broader and more insidious. Yet, after years of great hardship, it seems that the number of sea turtles has begun to increase once more.

Extinction? No, thank you

A study entitled Global sea turtle conservation successes, published in the journal Science Advances, has recorded an increase in sea turtle populations worldwide. Researchers from Greece's Aristotle University examined turtles in sixty different areas of the planet, obtaining encouraging results for the future of these animals.

The reasons for success

According to the study, among the factors that have driven this trend are the effective protection of females and their eggs at nesting sites and a reduction in the number of individuals found dead in fishing nets. The researchers documented an increase in nests and a higher egg-hatching success rate; moreover, even small populations showed remarkable powers of recovery.

Still in danger

Despite the current reversal of the trend, all seven existing sea turtle species are still at risk of extinction: the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), the Kemp's ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) and the flatback turtle (Natator depressus).

The threats facing turtles

The causes of sea turtles' decline are well known: they are killed or maimed by vessels of every kind, suffocated by plastic waste mistaken for jellyfish and swallowed, and poisoned by pollutants discharged into the seas. This is without considering the enormous problem posed by so-called "bycatch" — a term used to describe marine creatures caught accidentally instead of the target fish. Among these, alongside cetaceans and seabirds, are sea turtles.

Continuing to protect sea turtles

Despite the optimism generated by the study, concerns persist over the conservation of these ancient marine animals — for instance, the number of leatherback turtles in the eastern and western Pacific is declining. "Our results highlight the importance of continued conservation and monitoring efforts that have contributed to this global conservation success story," said the study's lead author, Antonios Mazaris.