ShellBank – New DNA toolkit and database set to disrupt the illegal marine turtle trade
The world’s first traceability toolkit and global database of marine turtle DNA – ShellBank, was
Menu
Menu
ShellBank - A Global Marine Turtle Genetic Database
One of the greatest challenges to tackling unsustainable trade and take of turtles is that we could not previously identify which populations were being targeted, or where they were being poached. We created ShellBank to fill this critical gap.
The World’s First traceability Toolkit and Global Database of Marine Turtle DNA
One of the greatest challenges to tackling unsustainable trade and take of turtles is that we could not previously identify which populations were being targeted, or where they were being poached. We created ShellBank to fill this critical gap. This game-changing tool aims to help conservationists, governments and researchers trace covert and underground marine turtle trade
Tracing Turtles from Sale to Source
1. Sample turtle part or product
Tissue and shell samples are taken from live turtles and seized parts or products.
3. Sequence DNA
A section of the Mitochondrial DNA Control Region is amplified and sequenced from extracted DNA.
2. Extract DNA
DNA is extracted from collected samples.
4. DNA Fragment
The DNA sequence or “haplotype” of each item tested is added to the ShellBank databases.
A match in the reference database helps pinpoint likely source populations
5. DNA Analysis
Learn More
Progress so far
+
0
Samples
0
Locations
>
0
Trained
$
0
Needed
Kickstarting ShellBank
On World Sea Turtle Day, WWF calls on governments, research institutions, NGOs and individuals to