Australians are being urged to give up their tortoiseshell products, such as jewellery, combs and sunglasses as part of a project to save the endangered hawksbill turtle.
The Surrender Your Shell project asks people to post the illegal products to researchers who will extract the DNA, trace the product to the turtles' nesting beach and develop a database or "shellbank" to track the trade.
The information will help identify vulnerable turtle populations, so World Wildlife Fund Australia can work with local communities, governments and the tourism industry to improve turtle protection.
"The simple act of popping something in the post can make a huge difference to an entire species," WWF Australia marine species program manager Christine Madden Hof said.
"It is unclear where poaching is most prevalent, but with the help of the turtle DNA we'll be able to map poaching hotspots and work with local governments in the Asia-Pacific region to combat these illegal activities."
It is estimated nearly nine million hawksbill turtles have been traded for their distinctive shells over the past 150 years, bringing the species close to extinction.
The turtle population in the Pacific Ocean has plummeted by more than 75 per cent and now there are thought to be just 4800 breeding female hawksbills left.
Real tortoiseshell items are brown, orange, amber and yellow in colour and feature irregular patterns.
Australians have until June 1, 2021 to send their tortoiseshell accessories to the World Wildlife Fund Australia, along with details of where and when the item was purchased, without risk of prosecution.
To take part in the project, Australians should visit www.wwf.org.au/surrenderyourshell
