Environmental DNA Sampling from Whale-Watching Vessels for Cetacean Monitoring.

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology
• Molecular Ecology
• Conservation Science

Background:

• Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a promising non-invasive tool for monitoring marine mammals.
• Standardized and feasible sampling workflows are crucial for applying eDNA from operational platforms like whale-watching vessels.
• Existing methods often lack the practicality needed for widespread implementation by researchers and citizen scientists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and validate a practical protocol for collecting cetacean eDNA from whale-watching vessels.
• To enable data generation under real-world environmental and logistical conditions.
• To support reproducible and cross-regionally comparable marine biodiversity studies.

Main Methods:

• Developed a protocol integrating flukeprint-targeted seawater collection from whale-watching vessels.
• Utilized onboard filtration with self-preserving filters for immediate sample processing.
• Employed species-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays targeting mitochondrial DNA (e.g., humpback whale).
• Implemented the protocol across coordinated field campaigns in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.

Main Results:

• The protocol demonstrated consistent detection rates for cetacean eDNA under variable conditions.
• Successful implementation by researchers and trained citizen scientists was achieved.
• The method proved effective across multiple cetacean taxa and diverse geographic locations.

Conclusions:

• The developed protocol offers a standardized, feasible, and reproducible approach for cetacean eDNA monitoring.
• This method facilitates operational data generation and enhances cross-regional comparability in marine biodiversity assessments.
• The protocol empowers both researchers and citizen scientists to contribute to cetacean conservation efforts.