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Green turtle numbers continue to rise on a group of islands where the species has now been protected for more than 50 years, new research shows.

Around the world, declines in the mean size of nesting sea turtles have been reported with concerns of a concomitant decrease in the reproductive output of populations. Here, we explore this possibility using long-term observations of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles. Based on > 4500 individual measurements over 21 years (1996-2016), we found the curved carapace length of nesting females declined by about 0.64 cm per decade, from 111.43 to 110.08 cm. For 391 individuals that were measured more than once with measurement interval of 2.8-19 years apart, the mean growth rate was 0.14 cm year−1. Comparisons between the size of adult females and males were based on 23 and 14 weight measurements, 107 and 33 carapace length measurements and 103 and 33 carapace width measurements, respectively, taken during 1981-1983. Adult females were larger than males, with the sexual dimorphism index, i.e. the ratio of size of the larger sex to the smaller, being 1.09 and 1.10 for carapace length and width, respectively, and 1.25 for weight. Smaller females tended to lay fewer eggs per clutch but the decrease in female mean size was accompanied by increases in numbers of turtles nesting annually, such that the estimated total numbers of eggs per year increased from 1.3 million to 2.0 million between 1996 and 2016. Therefore, a decrease in mean size of nesting females has not compromised egg production for this population.

International marine scientists today warned it will be vital to protect key marine turtle nesting grounds and areas that may be suitable for turtle nesting in the future to ensure that the marine reptiles have a better chance of withstanding climate change.

Endangered leatherback sea turtles are known for their open-ocean migratory nature and nomadic foraging habits - traveling thousands of miles. But a CORNELL naturalist and his colleagues have discovered an area along the Mozambique coast that the turtles have made their permanent home, according to a study published in Nature's Scientific Reports, Nov. 25.

Rewind more than 30 years ago and the mighty resources industry was awakening in the Pilbara.

Oil Spill in Tamil Nadu threatens marine life including turtles.

Endangered green turtle numbers only half of official estimates.

Global conservation priorities for marine turtles.

Despite being the third largest ocean in the world, the Indian Ocean is one of the least explored marine environments. Covering around 20 per cent of the Earth's surface and spanning more than 73 million square kilometres, it's an important channel for over half the world's shipping.

Drop in Kenyan tourism could harm sea turtles.

The Department of Fisheries says a large-scale fish kill on the Kimberley coast appears to have been a one-off, caused by warm waters and big tides.

The Department of Fisheries says a large-scale fish kill on the Kimberley coast appears to have been a one-off, caused by warm waters and big tides.

The Indonesian paradise island drowning in plastic.

Seychelles has announced two new Marine Protected Areas covering 210,000 square kilometers of biodiverse ocean waters.

The Gulf of Carpentaria off Australia's northern coast has one of the highest rates of abandoned fishing nets, or so-called ghostnets, anywhere in the world. In fact, up to three tonnes of netting washes ashore each year for every kilometre of coastline.

Thousands of turtles, marine animals victims of plastic fishing nets polluting Gulf of Carpentaria.

Traditional hunting gets headlines, but is not the big threat to turtles and dugongs.

Mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles begins at Odisha's Gahirmatha marine sanctuary.

Kimberley native title claimants fear island will be handed to fish farmer.