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The sea reptile has been effectively saved from the brink of oblivion in what experts are describing a important protection achievement.

Once intensively captured for traditional dishes, its offspring as a delicacy and beautiful plates, the ancient mariner saw its numbers drop sharply and has been classified as endangered since the eighties.

Currently, thanks to long periods of worldwide conservation efforts - from securing young and releasing hatchlings on beaches to minimizing incidental catching in marine equipment - recent information shows green turtle populations are recovering.

Conservation Efforts Produce Positive Results

These marine reptiles are one of the biggest varieties of marine turtles, identified for the green-colored hue of their subcutaneous fat, which stems from their vegetation-based diet.

They are part of 7 existing species of ocean reptiles, with two are critically endangered.

"Marine turtles are symbolic and attractive creatures... they inspire individuals," he said. "Hundreds of thousands of volunteers have been striving for decades to attempt to protect these species, and certainly, it has had an impact."

The conservation efforts encompass watching beaches, securing mother turtles and their eggs at breeding locations, letting go hatchlings into the sea, public outreach to minimize these creatures being slaughtered for consumption and offspring, and employing measures to halt turtles being caught in fishing nets.

Updated Threatened Creatures Inventory

The latest endangered species list of threatened animals was disclosed at a major international protection congress.

The unenviable inventory now features over 172,000 types, of which nearly 49,000 are endangered with disappearance.

Creatures are shifted between categories when recent statistics shows changes in their population, living space or threats.

If a species turns more at risk - for case, its population fall or its environment is harmed - it may be transferred to a more threatened group such as Threatened; if it improves thanks to conservation efforts, it may shift to a less threatened classification like Near Threatened or Minimal Risk.

Persistent Problems

The marine turtle has been downgraded from At-Risk to Reduced Threat. However, despite recent gains, green turtles are still far below their historic population due to previous excessive hunting and persistent threats like fishing, habitat loss and environmental shifts.

In areas like particular zones, less baby turtles are hatching, showing that preservation actions are still desperately needed.

Additional Animals Face Rising Threats

The update to the endangered inventory brought worrisome updates for additional creatures, including northern marine mammals, which are moving more toward to disappearance as sea ice is lost to environmental shifts.

The hooded seal has shifted from At Risk to Endangered, while the northern animals are now Becoming Endangered due to reducing sea ice.

Polar seals need ocean ice for mating, sleeping and feeding, and its reduction puts their survival at risk.