Protect Marine Life - Reptiles - Ocean Central
Marine reptiles, including sea turtles, have long been threatened by hunting, egg harvesting, and habitat loss.
Protections introduced in the late 20th century have supported some recoveries in a majority of locations where they’re found globally.
Climate change, bycatch, and plastic pollution continue to endanger populations. Long-term recovery will depend on protecting nesting sites, reducing fishing-related threats, and addressing climate-driven risks to habitats and reproduction.
The IUCN Red List tracks the conservation status of assessed species, while the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) provides open data on the distribution of marine species. Together, these resources help us monitor trends, identify hotspots of biodiversity, and guide action to protect and restore ocean life.
Key Stats
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618
IUCN (2024). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species – API v4. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org (accessed 10 October 2025).Marine reptiles tracked on the IUCN Red List
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20%
IUCN (2024). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species – API v4. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org (accessed 10 October 2025).Marine reptiles showing decreasing population trends
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35%
IUCN (2024). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species – API v4. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org (accessed 10 October 2025).Marine reptiles with insufficient data for assessment
IUCN (2024). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™️ – API v4. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org (accessed 10 October 2025).
High Risk of Extinction – Species with a Red List status of Endangered, Critically Endangered, or Extinct in the Wild
NOTE: Marine species values are inclusive of Marine Neritic, Marine Oceanic, Marine Deep Benthic, Marine Intertidal, and Marine Coastal/Supratidal habitats as defined by IUCN.
Globally, 13% of IUCN-assessed marine reptile species are at a high risk of extinction.
Globally, 13% of IUCN-assessed marine reptile species are at a high risk of extinction.
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Data Quality (# of species)
Insufficient – Does not have any data at all for analysis Expired – Does not have any data in the last 10 years Not Recent – At least one data point in the last 8 to 10 years Recent – At least one data point in the last 7 years Sufficient – At least 2 data points available for trend analysis AND at least one data point in the last 7 years
- 0 - Insufficient
- 327 - Expired
- 78 - Stale
- 747 - Recent
- 12 - Sufficient
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Geographic Range
99.60 of global data availableThe percentage of the ocean represented by the available data.
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Global Goal(s)
2030 Goal – High QualityNone – No Global Goal Established Low – The goal is broad Medium – The goal is specific High – The goal is measurable
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Global Goal(s)
2050 Goal – High Quality
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Marine reptiles, including sea turtles, sea snakes, and marine iguanas, play a vital role in ocean ecosystems.
They help cycle nutrients, regulate prey populations, and maintain healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs. As long-lived migratory species, they also act as sensitive indicators of ocean health, reflecting changes in habitat quality, temperature, and pollution.
Yet many marine reptile populations are in decline. According to the IUCN Red List, six of the seven sea turtle species are threatened with extinction, mainly due to habitat loss, bycatch, climate change, and pollution.
Despite their ecological importance, our ability to monitor population trends across their vast ranges remains limited, with major data gaps in nesting, migration, and juvenile survival.
Improving long-term monitoring and regional data sharing is crucial to guide conservation and ensure these ancient ocean voyagers continue to thrive.
Track how marine reptile populations are changing over time to understand the current health of ocean ecosystems and the impact of conservation efforts.
IUCN (2024). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™️ – API v4. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org (accessed 10 October 2025).
NOTE: Values refer to marine reptile species assessed by the IUCN Red List with available population trend data.
Globally, 45.4% of marine reptiles are increasing or stable.
Explore the main threats driving marine reptiles’ decline and see how species are classified by risk level to help prioritize protection and recovery efforts.
IUCN (2024). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™️ – API v4. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org (accessed 10 October 2025).
NOTE: Numbers are inclusive of all marine reptile species tracked by IUCN regardless of Red List status
IUCN (2024). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™️ – API v4. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Available at: https://apiv3.iucnredlist.org/api/v4 (accessed 10 October 2025).
High Risk of Extinction – Species with a Red List status of Endangered, Critically Endangered, or Extinct in the Wild
NOTE: Values refer to marine reptile species assessed by the IUCN Red List.
Globally, of the 72 marine reptile species at a high risk of extinction, 40 species are only classified as endangered, meaning there’s still a strong chance for recovery with timely action.
| Species | Threat | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Aeolian Wall Lizard | Endangered | Decreasing |
| African Slender-snouted Crocodile | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Aguán Valley Iguana | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Alabama Red-bellied Cooter | Endangered | Stable |
| Albany Adder | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Anegada Island Iguana | Critically Endangered | Increasing |
| Atlantic Ridley | Critically Endangered | Unknown |
| Bahir’s Fan- throated Lizard | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Baker's Spiny-tail Iguana | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Barbados Leaf-toed Gecko | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Bartsch's Iguana | Endangered | Stable |
| Batagur | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Bengal Eyed Terrapin | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Black Chuckwalla | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Blanc's Fringe-toed Lizard | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Blue Iguana | Endangered | Increasing |
| Boettger's Emo Skink | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Burmese Roofed Turtle | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Canasi Trope | Endangered | Unknown |
| Cantor's Giant Softshell | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Cayman Brac Blindsnake | Critically Endangered | Unknown |
| Cayman Curlytail | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Cayman Worm Snake | Endangered | Unknown |
| Central Nicobar Bamboo Pitviper | Endangered | Unknown |
| De Queiroz's Spiny-tailed Iguana | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Doumergue's Skink | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Emirati Leaf-toed Gecko | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Fly River Turtle | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Giant Wall Gecko | Endangered | Stable |
| Gnaraloo Worm-lizard | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Gran Canaria Giant Lizard | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Gran Canaria Skink | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Green Skink | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Green Turtle | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Günther's Emo Skink | Endangered | Unknown |
| Haitian Striped Sphaero | Critically Endangered | Unknown |
| Hawksbill Turtle | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Ibiza Wall Lizard | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Insular Dwarf Gecko | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Isla Beata Anole | Endangered | Unknown |
| Juan de Nova Snake-eyed Skink | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Kasner's Dwarf Burrowing Skink | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Komodo Monitor | Endangered | Stable |
| Lancelin Island Skink | Critically Endangered | Unknown |
| Legless Burrowing Skink | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Leith's Softshell Turtle | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Mona Island Iguana | Critically Endangered | Increasing |
| Mortlock Islands Scaly-toed Gecko | Critically Endangered | Unknown |
| Nevin's Three-toed Slider | Critically Endangered | Unknown |
| Open Bay Islands Skink | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Painted Batagur | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Perth Lined Slider | Endangered | Unknown |
| Peters’ Butterfly Lizard | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Radiated Tortoise | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Redonda Anole | Critically Endangered | Unknown |
| Redonda Ground Dragon | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Rock Skink | Endangered | Unknown |
| Rothschild's Skink | Critically Endangered | Unknown |
| Rough-banded Sphaero | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Saint Croix Ground Lizard | Endangered | Unknown |
| Sand Dune Lizard | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Scaly Gecko | Endangered | Unknown |
| Schreiber's Fringe-fingered Lizard | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Southern River Terrapin | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Spotted Skink | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Tenerife Speckled Lizard | Critically Endangered | Increasing |
| Two-fingered Skink | Endangered | Decreasing |
| Virgin Islands Bronze Skink | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| West Indian Iguana | Critically Endangered | Decreasing |
| Whitaker's Skink | Endangered | Stable |
Protecting marine reptiles requires coordinated efforts across policy, conservation, and community action. By reducing pressures and supporting ecosystem recovery, we can help species rebound and strengthen ocean resilience.
Taking Action
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Protect Existing Populations
Expanding and enforcing marine protected areas safeguards critical habitats, including feeding and breeding grounds, from harmful activities such as fishing, tourism, and industrial development. Upholding international agreements, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, strengthening wildlife protection laws, and managing invasive species through predator control programs helps protect vulnerable marine reptile populations.
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Mitigate Fishing-Related Threats
The implementation of turtle excluder devices (TEDs) significantly reduces sea turtle mortality by allowing escape from trawl nets. Regulations should also prohibit the use of high-risk gear such as gillnets and longlines in critical marine habitats. These measures not only preserve marine species but also promote sustainable fishing practices.
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Monitor and Research Populations
Regular population monitoring through habitat surveys offers insight into species health, distribution, and trends. Investing in research on climate change impacts, such as ocean warming and acidification, provides data for adaptive management strategies like adjusting fishing practices and expanding protected areas to safeguard vulnerable species.
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Raise Public Awareness and Involve Communities
Public education campaigns and ecotourism initiatives can enhance conservation efforts. Engaging coastal communities through workshops and training programs fosters alternative livelihoods such as sustainable fishing and eco-friendly tourism. Community-led conservation projects and eco-tourism ventures can promote responsible resource management while creating economic opportunities.
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Reduce artificial light at night
Supporting research on artificial light and taking steps to turn off lights at night in coastal areas can benefit sea turtles and other marine life and ecosystems negatively affected by artificial light.
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View relevant data layers on the globe using the available map toggle in the top right of each card in the left panel.
View relevant data layers on the globe using the available map toggle in the top right of each card in the left panel.