green turtles are swimming toward recovery — but the fight isn’t over

Benjamin Hadfield   Oct 17, 2025

Once on the brink of extinction, the world’s green turtles are swimming toward recovery — but the fight isn’t over.

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — After decades of conservation work, the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) has made an inspiring comeback. The species has officially been downgraded from “Endangered” to “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species—a rare environmental victory in a world where marine life is often in retreat.

These gentle giants, known for their graceful gliding and emerald-green shells, were once slaughtered for meat, leather, and jewelry. Over centuries, green turtle numbers plummeted by more than 60%, and many populations were thought beyond saving. But through decades of coordinated global action—protecting nesting beaches, banning turtle product trade, and equipping fisheries with turtle excluder devices (TEDs)—the tide has finally started to turn.

Today, scientists estimate that over half a million green turtle nests were recorded in 2024 alone—a 28% increase over historical counts. It’s a sign of hope, but also a reminder: the fight for our oceans is far from won.

A Fragile Victory

While the global population is trending upward, experts caution that some subpopulations are still in decline, particularly in the North Indian Ocean and Central South Pacific, where climate change, rising sea temperatures, and habitat loss continue to threaten survival.

“The green turtle’s rebound is extraordinary, but it’s also fragile,” warned Roderic Mast, Co-Chair of the IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group. “These gains could disappear if we lose focus. Sea turtles cannot survive without healthy oceans—and humans can’t either.”

Pollution, boat strikes, and plastic ingestion remain constant threats. Coastal development continues to destroy critical nesting sites. And warming oceans alter the delicate temperature balance that determines the sex of hatchlings—pushing some populations dangerously toward imbalance.

As Dr. Brendan Godley, a marine biologist from the University of Exeter, noted: “It underlines that marine conservation can work, there is hope—but we should not relax. Without constant protection, green turtles could quickly decline again.”

 

Stuart Scuba: Teaching the Next Generation to Protect the Ocean

For Stuart Scuba, based in Palm Beach County, the green turtle’s recovery is more than good news—it’s a call to action.

Benjamin Hadfield, Owner and Instructor Trainer at Stuart Scuba, has trained thousands of divers across the world. He says the story of the green turtle perfectly captures what he and his team try to instill in every student: respect, awareness, and responsibility.

“When you see a green turtle gliding through a coral canyon, it’s pure magic,” said Hadfield. “But knowing what it took to get them back from the edge makes that moment even more powerful. Every diver we train learns that what happens on land affects what happens underwater. Reef-safe sunscreen, proper buoyancy, no contact with marine life—it all matters. Every action counts.”

Hadfield warns that divers are often the ocean’s first responders:

“We see the changes firsthand. Warmer water, bleaching coral, plastic waste—it’s real. The ocean’s telling us to pay attention. The green turtle story is proof that when we listen, when we act, recovery is possible.”

Nikki Hadfield, Co-Owner and instructor at Stuart Scuba, says their mission goes beyond certification—it’s about building a community of ocean advocates.

“Divers have this privilege that most people don’t—they see the world beneath the waves,” Nikki said. “When you swim beside a turtle or over a living reef, it changes you. That connection inspires people to protect what they love.”

She added that Stuart Scuba integrates marine conservation education into every level of training, from beginner open water to adaptive and instructor courses.

“We teach our divers to be stewards,” Nikki continued. “That means diving with care, supporting reef restoration, and spreading awareness. The green turtle’s comeback is a success story—but it only happened because people didn’t give up. That’s what we want our divers to carry with them—hope and responsibility.”

 

Why This Matters

Green turtles are more than just icons of marine life. They play a critical role in maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs—ecosystems that, in turn, produce oxygen, support fisheries, and protect coastlines. Their rebound shows that with global collaboration, local education, and community involvement, recovery is possible even for species once thought lost.

But as both scientists and Stuart Scuba emphasize, this victory depends on continued vigilance. Without clean oceans, protected coastlines, and engaged divers, even a species as resilient as the green turtle could again be in danger.

 

Stuart Scuba: Diving for a Purpose

For Stuart Scuba, based in Southern Florida, stories like the green turtle’s recovery are proof of what passion, education, and global awareness can achieve. Every diver trained through Stuart Scuba’s programs learns not only the art of diving—but the responsibility that comes with it.

“Every time you take a breath underwater, you’re part of something bigger,” said Benjamin Hadfield, Owner and Instructor Trainer at Stuart Scuba. “We want our divers to feel connected to the ocean, to understand that conservation isn’t optional—it’s essential. The green turtle’s recovery shows what’s possible when humanity steps up.”

Nikki Hadfield, co-owner and lead instructor, echoed that sentiment. “Divers are witnesses,” she said. “When you see a turtle glide past a coral reef that’s still alive, it changes you. That’s why we teach eco-awareness in every course. Whether you’re diving off Florida or halfway around the world, you carry that stewardship with you.”

She added, “It’s easy to feel small when you look at the ocean, but every diver has the power to protect what they love. The green turtle reminds us that change happens one protected nest, one responsible dive, and one educated diver at a time.”

 

About Benjamin & Nikki Hadfield

Benjamin Hadfield is the Owner and Instructor Trainer at Stuart Scuba, Dedicated to building a global community of environmentally responsible divers, Benjamin is passionate about advancing marine conservation through hands-on training and public education.

Nikki Hadfield, Co-Owner of Stuart Scuba, is an experienced dive instructor and ocean advocate specializing in reef conservation outreach. Together, Benjamin and Nikki lead a team devoted to inspiring divers of all abilities to explore responsibly and protect the underwater world for generations to come.