The biennial ShellBank Progress and Impact Report (2023-2024; herein, the ShellBank report, 2024) highlights the significant progress made over the past two years in advancing marine turtle conservation through genetic traceability. This report serves as an overview of the project’s achievements, key developments, and future priorities.
ShellBank is a global program dedicated to enhancing the conservation of marine turtles by using genetic tools to trace the origins of turtles or turtle products, thereby supporting wildlife crime enforcement and conservation management. Launched as a collaborative effort among WWF, the Australian Museum, NOAA, TRACE and other key partners, ShellBank is an important resource for addressing the illegal trade of marine turtle products and strengthening conservation strategies worldwide.
As ShellBank continues to evolve, this report reflects the growing impact of the program. Major milestones include the expansion of the genetic database to include green turtles, the launch of the ShellBank Online Database, and the strengthening of partnerships with conservation organizations, law enforcement, and academic institutions worldwide. These efforts collectively enhance our capacity to trace the origins of marine turtles, their parts and/or products, inform conservation strategies, help support sustainable fisheries management, and support wildlife crime enforcement.
The report also features three case studies that showcase how genetic data is being applied in real-world scenarios, from addressing illegal turtle trade to supporting targeted conservation actions. These stories highlight the power of genetic traceability to bridge critical knowledge gaps and improve conservation outcomes for marine turtles.
Looking ahead, ShellBank aims to build on this success by further expanding species coverage, enhancing data quality, and increasing collaboration with stakeholders. This report provides readers with a clear understanding of the project’s scope, impact, and vision for the future.