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After half a century of global protection, the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) has been moved on the IUCN Red List from Endangered to Least Concern, with the global population up about 28% since the 1970s.
The High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) entered into force on January 17, 2026 after Morocco's ratification last September pushed it past the 60-country threshold. By April 2026, 145 countries have signed and 88 have ratified.
The four-member Artemis II crew safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on April 10, becoming the first humans to travel toward the Moon in over 50 years.
The IUCN announced that 10.01% of the global ocean is now designated within protected areas, with approximately 5 million square kilometers added in just two years — an area larger than the European Union.
At COP15 in Brazil, over 130 governments agreed on expanded protections for threatened migratory species, including blue corridors for sea turtles and flyways for birds.
Despite rising emissions, 2025 delivered tangible environmental victories: renewable energy capacity surged to record levels, endangered green sea turtles hit milestone recovery numbers, and tiger populations grew across Asia, reports the BBC.
The Australian Institute of Marine Science reports that coral cover in the Great Barrier Reef's northern third has reached 39%, the highest in 12 years, driven by successful water quality programs and favorable ocean conditions.
The High Seas Treaty entered into force in January 2026 after Morocco became the 60th country to ratify it in September 2025. The landmark agreement establishes the first legal framework to protect marine biodiversity in international waters, covering nearly two-thirds of the world's oceans that were previously ungoverned.
Several humpback whale populations have recovered to near pre-commercial whaling numbers, with some groups removed from endangered lists, marking one of the greatest conservation comebacks in wildlife history.
An international research cruise has catalogued over 120 previously unknown deep-sea organisms that produce their own light, reshaping our understanding of ocean ecosystems.
The Ocean Cleanup and partner organizations announce they have removed 100,000 tonnes of plastic from the world's oceans, halfway to their 2030 target.
In a feat once thought improbable, the green sea turtle has been removed from the endangered species list in 2025, marking one of the greatest conservation success stories of our time. Decades of beach protection, fishing regulation changes, and international cooperation have brought the species back from the brink.
The Global Ocean Treaty became reality in 2025 after 79 nations ratified the agreement, far exceeding the 60 required. The treaty protects marine biodiversity in international waters covering nearly half the planet.
Verified report based on cited source.
The Global Ocean Treaty became law in September 2025 after 79 nations ratified it — far exceeding the 60 required. The treaty gives governments a legal framework to protect international waters, where currently only 1% is protected.
The largest seagrass restoration project in history is creating vast underwater meadows that capture carbon 35 times faster than tropical rainforests.
A trailblazing attempt to repopulate the ocean with sharks born from surplus aquarium eggs is expanding marine conservation.
The Great Barrier Reef has experienced its largest coral spawning event in decades, a sign that conservation efforts are helping the ecosystem recover.
A landmark global treaty to protect the high seas has entered into force after 79 nations ratified the agreement, potentially creating the largest network of ocean sanctuaries in history.
Marine biologists have developed heat-resistant coral varieties that can survive in waters up to 3°C warmer, offering hope for reef conservation as oceans warm.
Four million native oysters are being returned to an artificial reef off Norfolk, England, creating what will become Europe's largest oyster reef and potentially transforming local marine ecosystems.
Scientists recorded the highest number of North Atlantic right whale sightings ever for January, a hopeful sign for the critically endangered species with only 384 individuals remaining.
In a landmark conservation victory, the green sea turtle was officially removed from the endangered species list in 2025. Decades of beach protection, anti-poaching measures, and international cooperation brought the species back from the brink.
A pioneering assisted fertilization technique is helping restore disappearing coral reefs in the Dominican Republic, with the approach gaining momentum across the Caribbean.
The Tainui Atea marine protected area now covers 1.1 million square kilometers of ocean, making it the largest MPA on Earth and a major win for ocean biodiversity.
French Polynesia has created the world's largest marine protected area, adding to a wave of new wildlife sanctuaries established across the globe in 2025.
The IUCN officially reclassified the green sea turtle from Endangered to Least Concern, marking one of the greatest conservation success stories of our time.
A landmark deal to protect the high seas has become a reality, with 79 nations ratifying the Global Ocean Treaty — far beyond the 60 required — potentially creating the largest network of ocean sanctuaries in history.
