New global DNA database aims to fight illegal sea turtle trade worldwide

A hawksbill sea turtle cruises over a reef just off the shore of Curacao, Wednesday, April 21, 2010. (AP / Brian Witte)

Florida (WBBH) -- Researchers with the World Wildlife Fund have developed ShellBank, the world’s first global marine turtle DNA database, to help combat illegal wildlife trade and protect sea turtles.

The database enables scientists to extract DNA from turtle shells, eggs, meat, and other products, helping identify where trafficked turtles originated and which populations are most at risk.

Thirty-eight countries are participating in the initiative, with their governments tracking the data to crack down on illegal trade.

“It just really exemplifies or highlights how connected our oceans are and how countries are connected without really even realizing it. We do really need to work across boundaries and cross borders with other countries to get really useful and powerful outcomes for these turtles,” said Dr. Greta Frankham, wildlife forensic scientist and conservation geneticist.

Five of the seven sea turtle species are officially classified as threatened or endangered.