Meet us at Living Data 2025 and play our eDNA game!
We are located at the main hall, booth 6! Learn more about biomolecular marine observations during our daily lunch talks, explore eDNA data with our dashboards, and play our interactive eDNA game! Come experience the marine life observation revolution!
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Amplifying
marine life observations
Our mission
We aim to expand Ocean knowledge through eDNA. Over the next three years, we will build capacity and create a global, standardised eDNA sampling network across 25 sites, with all data openly shared and accessible to all.
Explore our mission >
Get involved
Our team is currently looking for ecologically significant sites, such as marine protected areas, UNESCO World Heritage marine sites, or Biosphere Reserves, to join the initiative. Express your site's interest in joining the eDNA Expeditions and fill out our survey!
Apply to become an eDNA Expeditions site >
Our impact
Phase I of the eDNA Expeditions took place in 2022-2024 at 21 UNESCO Marine World Heritage Sites. The campaign engaged over 200 citizen scientists who identified over 4,000 species through eDNA sampling.
Explore Phase 1 >
We are at Living Data 2025!
Explore the eDNA Expeditions booth to discover the power of biomolecular marine observations
Have you ever wanted to learn more about biomolecular marine observations? Welcome to the eDNA Expeditions booth! Come to meet Emilie Boulanger and Saara Suominen, the OBIS eDNA experts, and Pieter Provoost, OBIS data manager and bioinformatics expert.
Every day, join our free, hop-on-hop-off lunch talks to ask anything you ever wanted to know about eDNA sampling, bioinformatics, standardization of DNA-derived data, and how to publish eDNA data into OBIS.
At the booth, you can also dive into our dashboards to explore biodiversity at UNESCO World Heritage marine sites! You can also try your luck at our interactive eDNA game for a chance to win a real marine sampling kit from Wilderlab!
Join the marine observation revolution! Booth #6, in the main conference hall!
Can you guess which species are featured on the eDNA Expeditions material?
We have rounded up here all the species that are featured on the eDNA Expeditions material. Can you identify some of them? Click on a silhouette to get the species' common name, its scientific name, and access to the species page on OBIS!
Our mission
To establish a global biomolecular observatory for marine life, helping to better understand our Ocean.
The eDNA Expeditions (Phase II) is a global effort to explore the life of our oceans through environmental DNA. Over the next three years (2026-2028), the project will build capacity in eDNA sampling and enable operational, standardized data collection across marine sites worldwide. Around 25 marine sites will receive sampling kits, training, and support to help uncover the hidden biodiversity of their waters. Together, we'll create a living, open dataset that connects local discovery to our shared global Ocean story—empowering communities to see and listen to the Ocean in new ways.
The first phase of eDNA Expeditions was a global citizen science initiative that engaged 250 citizen scientists, as young as 6 years old, across 19 countries, who identified over 4,000 species through eDNA sampling. Building on this experience, we now want to continue to include and inspire communities to discover their biodiversity, while also providing scientific insights with repeated samplings at the sites!
eDNA: a powerful tool for marine life observations
eDNA sampling is a powerful tool, with which a small sampling effort can lead to a large amount of information on biodiversity at the marine sites. eDNA sampling provides presence information of species, and can therefore be used for specific purposes, like detecting rare or invasive species, and evaluating changes in community composition, for example.
Together with the sites, we now want to explore the monitoring questions that can be supported by eDNA sampling.
Building local capacity to generate local impact
One of the objectives of the eDNA expeditions is to develop local capacity in biomolecular marine life observations at the 25 selected sites. We want to demonstrate how local empowerment radically amplifies Ocean diversity, from the data collected to the communities involved. Each sample collected contributes to a broader understanding of marine biodiversity. Each sample contributes to strengthening the role of local communities and actors as active protectors of their ecosystems. These samples will help detect invasive species, track ecosystem changes, and monitor conservation actions.
Propose your marine site!
We are looking for 25 ecologically significant marine sites around the world to join the eDNA Expeditions
From 2026 to 2028, 25 marine sites around the world will join the eDNA Expeditions to help establish a global, biomolecular observatory for monitoring marine biodiversity.
We are looking for marine sites with ecological significance, such as marine protected areas, UNESCO World Heritage marine sites, or Biosphere Reserves. The proposed sites should have some experience in conducting scientific experiments, with a steady team able to receive training in biomolecular sampling. The sites should also have the capacity to organize between 6 and 9 sampling campaigns in their waters.
To propose your site, you will need to have the mandate and capacity to engage on its behalf and to commit to regular eDNA sampling activities.
Join the marine observation revolution: bring eDNA expertise to your waters!
Participating sites will receive free eDNA sampling kits, training on biomolecular marine sampling, and dedicated data support. eDNA sampling is simple, non-invasive, and accessible to all, empowering scientists and citizens to contribute to monitoring marine life.
Data collected at your site will feed into intuitive dashboards providing practical insights. The eDNA Expeditions dashboards are built for real-world management and action. These tools will help you detect bioinvasions, track ecosystem changes, and track the progress of your conservation actions.
Timeline
Project Launch
eDNA Expeditions Phase II officially begins with the selection and onboarding of 25 marine sites worldwide. Initial training programs and equipment distribution to participating sites.
First Sampling Campaign
Marine sites begin their first eDNA sampling campaigns. Data collection protocols are established and initial biodiversity assessments are conducted across all participating locations.
Data Integration & Analysis
Comprehensive data analysis begins with the integration of eDNA samples into the global OBIS database. Advanced bioinformatics pipelines process samples and generate actionable insights for marine conservation.
Global Impact & Expansion
Results from the eDNA Expeditions are published and shared globally. The project demonstrates the power of standardized marine biodiversity monitoring and sets the foundation for future ocean observation initiatives.
Who we are
From fragments to impact: making eDNA data ready for Ocean action
The eDNA Expeditions is an initiative under the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, supported by Minderoo Foundation, in collaboration with Wilderlab, powered and coordinated by OBIS.
In this project, Minderoo Foundation, Wilderlab, and OBIS join forces in an unprecedented effort to build a global sample-to-screen bioinformatic workflow that turns collected eDNA samples into actionable data to support marine site managers in detecting invasive species, tracking ecosystem changes, and monitoring conservation actions.
At a global level, through its integration into OBIS this local data will contribute to advancing our collective marine knowledge and help support our actions for a healthier Ocean.
Minderoo Foundation is the main supporter of eDNA Expeditions. The foundation drives bold, science-based action to protect the Ocean, restore ecosystems, and support communities.
minderoo.org >
Wilderlab is the technical partner of the eDNA Expeditions, providing cutting-edge metabarcoding and analysis to turn water samples into biodiversity insights for Ocean conservation.
wilderlab.co >
The Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) coordinates the eDNA Expeditions and integrates the biomolecular data collected into its global platform, making it accessible to all.
obis.org >An initiative under the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO
The eDNA Expeditions are conducted under the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, with the Ocean Biodiversity Information System, a programme component of IOC, providing the bioinformatics pipeline and the data backbone for the project.
The IOC is a foundational driver for the eDNA Expeditions, connecting the project to a global Ocean science framework and ensuring its alignment with the objectives of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
The IOC also plays a crucial supporting role in amplifying the eDNA Expeditions’ reach by providing a global stage for the project’s outcomes and increasing the visibility of its participants.
ioc.unesco.org >Resources
Collaboration Consent Form
This document is a collaboration consent form between the marine site and the project. It outlines the terms and conditions of the collaboration, including the purpose of the collaboration, the responsibilities of the marine site and the project, and the data sharing and use of the data.
Project Data Policy
This document is the data policy for the project.
Draft Biobanking Agreement
This document is a draft biobanking agreement between the marine site and the biobank, to define the terms of depositing and use of samples. A final version will be developed together with the biobank.
Join the marine observation revolution!