Part International Status of Marine Turtles - Recovery Plan for Marine Turtles in Australia - International Status of Marine Turtles

International Status of Marine TurtlesInternational Status of Marine Turtles

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International Status of Marine Turtles

The status of marine turtles varies from country to country and depends largely on whether they are given the opportunity to recover after any decline. Marine turtles are considered to be declining globally, despite successful conservation efforts in many countries, including Australia. The IUCN in applying its Red List Categories (IUCN, 2002) determined the status of marine turtles globally. Table 4 lists the status categories. Marine turtles’ vulnerability is also recognised by their listing under international agreements such as the Convention for the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS, also known as the Bonn Convention) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Table 4. Status of marine turtles under the CMS, CITES and IUCN

Common name	Scientific name	CMS Appendix	CITES Appendix	IUCN Status*
Loggerhead turtle	Caretta caretta	I & II	I only	Endangered
Green turtle	Chelonia mydas	I & II	I only	Endangered
Hawksbill turtle	Eretmochelys imbricata	I & II	I only	Critically endangered
Olive Ridley turtle	Lepidochelys olivacea	I & II	I only	Endangered
Leatherback turtle	Dermochelys coriacea	I & II	I only	Critically endangered
Flatback turtle	Natator depressus	II only	I only	Data deficient

* See IUCN Internet site: http://www.redlist.org/