Are Sea Turtles Still Endangered in 2026? Status by Species

Sea turtles do not all have the same conservation status. A worldwide assessment, a regional population assessment, and a country's legal protections answer different questions.

Global IUCN categories

The following snapshot was checked on October 4, 2026 against the IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group's assessment index. This is our check date, not a claim that every assessment was conducted in 2026.

What the labels mean

Data Deficient means there is too little information to assess extinction risk reliably. It does not mean safe. Least Concern means the species does not currently meet the criteria for the higher-risk categories; it is not a promise that every population is healthy. IUCN category definitions.

For example, green turtles are globally Least Concern, while their Central South Pacific subpopulation is Endangered. Leatherbacks are globally Vulnerable, while the East Pacific subpopulation is Critically Endangered. Always read the location as well as the species name. IUCN regional assessments.

A status change does not erase protection

NOAA lists green turtle populations as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. That legal system is separate from the global IUCN category. NOAA green turtle protection status.

For a classroom activity, compare one global category with one regional category. Write down the source, population and date checked. Revisit the source before using the information in a new project.

Explore all seven species or read which threats conservation work addresses.