© Antonio Busiello/WWF-US
You're right—ShellBank
Sea turtles have spent over 100 million years honing their ability to return to their birthplace to lay eggs, creating genetically distinct populations unique to each nesting region. These genetic variations are vital for protecting against human threats. WWF's ShellBank, a global DNA traceability toolkit, aims to reverse the decline in sea turtle numbers by identifying at-risk populations for targeted protection.
ShellBank enables DNA analysis from any sea turtle or part, helping conservationists, researchers, and law enforcers track and protect endangered turtles worldwide. With over 13,000 samples from 50+ countries, ShellBank is supported by partners like the Australian Museum and NOAA. It addresses critical data gaps needed to combat illegal sea turtle trade, which persists despite global bans and policies.
Human activities, including illegal trade and accidental capture in fishing nets, severely impact sea turtles. ShellBank provides essential data for governments, conservationists, and communities to implement more effective protection measures. In the last 30 years, over 1.1 million sea turtles have been illegally killed, with 22% likely traded internationally.
ShellBank is uncovering new genetic populations, like those in the Coral Triangle and Java Sea, revealing unknown diversity among hawksbill turtles and others. This initiative is crucial for the protection and recovery of these ancient creatures, who are vital to ocean ecosystems worldwide.
Learn more about how WWF is using ShellBank to help reverse the decline of sea turtles and recover populations
