In some much-needed uplifting climate news, 2025 marked a major victory for green turtles (Chelonia mydas), a species emblematic of both the fragility and resilience of our oceans. After decades of collaborative conservation work, combining field research, satellite-tracking studies, legal protection of critical habitats and widespread changes to fishing technology designed to reduce turtle mortality, green turtles were officially downlisted from “Endangered” to “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Beyond being recognised as a keystone species for ocean health — through their role in controlling sponge growth on coral reefs, regulating jellyfish populations and cycling nutrients — sea turtles are also remarkable individuals. Research has shown clear personality differences between turtles, with some consistently displaying bold, risk-taking behaviour while others are noticeably more timid. Rather than relying on a single instinct, sea turtles orient themselves using a sophisticated suite of environmental cues, including subtle variations in the Earth’s magnetic field which allow them to travel thousands of kilometres across open ocean and, years later, locate the same stretch of coastline where they first emerged.
Among them, the green turtle in particular is known for its predominantly herbivorous diet as an adult, grazing on seagrasses and algae — a unique trait among sea turtles. This plant-based diet gives its body fat a greenish tint, lending the species its name.
To celebrate this hope-restoring news, Our Culture has chosen five photographs capturing the personalities and mesmerising movements of various turtle species that grace our oceans:
Megan Shea-Graff
Megan Shea-Graff‘s overhead perspective centers the intricate geometry of a hawksbill’s carapace. The species is distinguished by its overlapping scutes which create the distinctive tortoiseshell pattern that has made these animals targets of exploitation for centuries. Despite international trade bans since 1977, illegal poaching for shells continues to this day, contributing to the species’ critically endangered status.
Daniel Nicholson
Daniel Nicholson captures turtles in moments of elegance and curiosity. This portrait, shot from below, showcases the sculptural beauty of a turtle’s flipper mid-stroke against deep blue water. The photographer emphasises that patience is essential, reminding readers that turtles will reveal their natural behaviour once they recognise you pose no threat.
Grant Thomas
Grant Thomas captures a hatchling suspended between worlds in this dramatic split-level composition. His collection of high-contrast turtle images reflects what he describes as the uniquely meditative quality of photographing these creatures — their slow, deliberate grace offering photographers time to perfect their composition when mutual respect is maintained.
Martina Andrés
It’s not every day you encounter a turtle selfie. Here, Martina Andrés captures the moment this curious individual gazed directly into her lens — a first in her underwater photography career. The Hamburg-based visual storyteller and educator maintains a stunning portfolio spanning ocean depths to alpine peaks.
Hitomi Tsuchiya
Hitomi Tsuchiya’s minimalist composition reduces the turtle to a solitary silhouette suspended in golden-green waters. The unusual warmth of the palette transforms the familiar ocean into something almost otherworldly. This arresting work earned her a spot amongst the winners of Oceanographic’s Fine Art Photographer of the Year award.
