Webinar #1
The first webinar of the MOD Alliance series, hosted by the DiverSea project, happened on 15 October 2024.
The OceanOmics Program: Monitoring & Protecting Ocean Life.
Dr Eric Raes is a marine ecologist who works on showcasing how environmental DNA (eDNA) and genomic tools can be scaled and integrated into the day-to-day operations of conservation and fisheries managers to enable rapid and robust monitoring of ocean health. Utilizing a multidisciplinary research approach, he synthesizes data into practical information, bridging the fields of microbiology, biogeochemistry and marine ecology in coastal and open oceanic environments ranging from tropical to temperate and polar environments. Eric is passionate about operationalizing field work, democratizing science and capacity building in and around the Indian Ocean rim.
Webinar Highlights:
- The role of eDNA in monitoring the effectiveness of the global “30 by 30” initiative, which seeks to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
- Practical examples from Australian marine parks, showcasing how eDNA can identify ecologically significant areas and track shifts in species distribution.
- Challenges in integrating eDNA into policy frameworks, with a particular focus on communication between scientists and policymakers, and building capacity for its broader use.
Why Watch the Webinar Recording?
The recording offers valuable insights into the application of eDNA for biodiversity monitoring, particularly in marine ecosystems. You will learn how the OceanOmics programme is using genomic tools to advance conservation and management strategies, with a strong focus on real-world application and policy integration. The lively Q&A session also provides a deeper exploration of how eDNA data can complement existing methods, as well as the challenges of communicating its potential to stakeholders and policymakers.
For those interested in marine biodiversity, this webinar offers an insightful look into the potential of eDNA and the latest innovations in biodiversity monitoring. Feel free to take a look at the recording to explore how these approaches could contribute to safeguarding our oceans.
Abstract:
Many countries have committed to the 30 by 30 initiative: the goal of conserving 30 per cent of the world’s ocean by 2030. However, assuming these goals are met, the challenge remains: How do we define the dynamic baseline of biodiversity change required to measure effectiveness in the 30 by 30 initiative?
Effective monitoring is a significant challenge across large spatial and temporal scales. For example, Australian marine parks currently span over 3.8 million km2 (42 per cent) of Australia’s waters. The extensive and isolated characteristics of numerous Marine Protected Areas and Australia’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone pose significant challenges for conducting sustained research and monitoring.
The OceanOmics program, a Minderoo Foundation initiative, is leading the charge in revolutionizing ocean conservation. Our primary goal is to safeguard marine biodiversity by developing and scaling genomics techniques for monitoring marine wildlife. This mission is anchored in the OceanOmics program‘s participation in the Ocean Decade Program of the Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network.
Our strategy centres on harnessing cutting-edge genomic technologies and multidisciplinary expertise to generate high-quality, ocean-scale data. These data not only help us understand marine species distribution and range shifts but also serve as a critical resource for informing effective policies and management strategies. The latter aligns with Minderoo’ partnership with Parks Australia under the Ocean Discovery and Restoration Program is accelerating the use of genomic science and providing a ‘proof of concept’ that environmental DNA (eDNA) can be a cost-effective way to monitor biodiversity in Australia’s large and remote marine parks.
This presentation will provide an overview of the OceanOmics program, highlighting key findings from multiple sampling campaigns conducted across a range of environments, from tropical to temperate waters in the eastern Indian Ocean and along the Western Australian coastline. Utilizing eDNA data obtained from mitochondrial metabarcoding markers, I will demonstrate our findings at various spatial scales, ranging from 1000km down to 50m resolution. These analyses allow us to discern subtle biodiversity movements, crucial for identifying ecologically significant areas, monitoring range shifts of keystone species, and safeguarding genetic diversity within vulnerable ecosystems.