Small water samples can find very large animals

A team of scientists used a new genetic tool that analyzes DNA in water samples to find whales and dolphins in New York City waters. The technique, called environmental DNA or eDNA, looks for traces of genetic material left by wild animals.

Scientists say eDNA could be used to complement other methods of finding whales and dolphins, such as visual observation and acoustic surveillance, and their eDNA discovery is among the most promising for detecting whales and dolphins in seawater.

Lead author Dr. Elizabeth Alter of California State University said: "Determining how whales and other endangered marine animals use inshore habitats is critical to their effective conservation. By generating eDNA data in parallel with survey data, it will be possible to gain a clearer understanding of how these tools work. it can be used in the context of management and conservation for the conservation of species of important marine ecosystems. 

This technique finds not only whales and dolphins, but also bait fish present in the area captured by whales and dolphins. The authors say the technique could eventually be used to identify individual animals.

said Dr Howard K. Rosenbaum, WCS Marine Giants Program Director/Senior Scientist at Aquarium NY and co-author of the study: Whales, dolphins and their prey are critical today, especially when the potential impact on these habitats could lead to increased human activity. "

The authors say that eDNA decreased to lower levels over time and more research is needed to better understand how factors such like behavior and oceanographic conditions donate to the longevity of eDNA signals. 

Despite some promising signs of recovery for many cetacean species and populations, whales continue to face a range of modern threats from shipwrecks, entanglement in nets and ocean noise.

The Biden-Harris administration, New York State and other East Coast states are stepping up renewable energy projects to meet energy needs and combat climate change, including bids for wind farms covering more than 488,000 hectares. New York Bay. There are many potential impacts of these developments on whales that the environmental community, industry and state/federal agencies want to address. WCS participates in national and national dialogues and develops best practice guidelines through the IUCN.