Some green sea turtles are no longer classed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act thanks to successful conservation efforts.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries and the US Fish and Wildlife Service have reclassified the turtles from the breeding populations in Florida and the Pacific coast of Mexico from an endangered status to a threatened status.

“Successful conservation and management efforts developed in Florida and along the Pacific coast of Mexico are a roadmap for further recovery strategies of green turtle populations around the world," said Eileen Sobeck, the assistant NOAA administrator for fisheries, in a statement.

But green sea turtles are still faced with a number of threats including being caught accidentally in fishing nets, habitat alteration and disease.

Now, both agencies will divide the global turtle population into 11 segments to make way for tailored conservation. Of the segments, three will be reclassified as endangered and the rest as threatened.

Ms Sobeck said: “Ultimately, this will help up protect and conserve green sea turtles more efficiently and effectively, so that we can achieve our goal of recovering the species.”

Critically endangered species Show all 10 1 /10 Critically endangered species Critically endangered species Yangtze Finless Porpoise There are as few as 1,000 of this highly intelligent dolphin from the Chinese river of Yangtze. Wikmedia Critically endangered species Cross River Gorilla There are around 200-300 left in the wild. Wikmedia Critically endangered species The Amur Leopard There are only around 30 left, exclusively in the Russian Far East. Wikmedia Critically endangered species Black Rhino Improving numbers, but with fewer than 5,000 left in central Africa, it is critically endangered. Wikmedia Critically endangered species Hawskbill Sea Turtle Mostly threatened by wildlife trade; their shells highly valued. Wikmedia Critically endangered species Javan Rhino The most threatened rhino species - there are as few as 35 in Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia. Wikmedia Critically endangered species Leatherback Turtle Having lost many of its habitable beaches, and impacted by fishing operations, this seaturtle is considered by WWF to be 'critically endangered'. Wikmedia Critically endangered species South China Tiger It is believed to be 'functionally extinct', with none of the species left in the wild. Wikmedia Critically endangered species Sumatran Elephant There are between 2,400 - 2,800 of this elephant native to Borneo and Sumatra. Wikmedia Critically endangered species Sumatran Orangutan There are an est. 7,300 but the gradual deforestation of their Sumatran habitat may threaten further. Wikmedia

Dan Ashe, the Fish and Wildlife Service director, said: “While threats remain for green sea turtles globally, the reclassification of green sea turtles in Florida and Mexico shows how ESA-inspired partnerships between the federal agencies, states, NGOs and even countries is making a real difference for some of our planet’s most imperiled species.”

Catherine Kilduff of the Center for Biological Diversity said the recovery of the turtles and their ability to "overcome illegal harvest, plastic pollution and warming waters" was a testament to their resilience.

Since 1978, green turtles have been protected under the Endangered Species Act.