ShellBank Program Advances Marine Turtle Conservation Through Genetic Research
ShellBank, a global initiative led by the World Wide Fund for Nature, Australian Museum, NOAA, and TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network, is developing a genetic toolkit to protect marine turtles. The program, active since 2019, includes a standardized DNA database and resources for researchers. Recent work supported by Lindblad Expeditions involved sequencing DNA from 160 green turtles in Papua New Guinea's Conflict Islands, revealing a previously unknown genetic stock and connecting it to foraging grounds on Australia's Great Barrier Reef. This demonstrates transboundary turtle movements and underscores the need for international conservation cooperation. Final analysis is ongoing, with publication expected later this year.
Key facts
- ShellBank is a global marine turtle conservation program launched in 2019
- The initiative involves genetic research to trace turtle populations and combat threats like illegal trade
- Recent research identified a new genetic stock in Papua New Guinea's Conflict Islands connected to Australia's Great Barrier Reef
Entities
Institutions
- World Wide Fund for Nature
- Australian Museum
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network
- Lindblad Expeditions
- Murdoch University
- James Cook University
- Conflict Islands Conservation Initiative
Locations
- Australia
- Papua New Guinea
- Conflict Islands
- Great Barrier Reef