OBON hosted two sessions at the 2026 Ocean Sciences Meeting, which was held in Glasgow, UK, from 22-27 February 2026.

Both sessions were part of the Ocean Technology and Observatories topic.

The Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON) featured prominently at the Ocean Sciences Meeting (26 February 2026, SEC, Glasgow) with both an oral session (OT41B) and a poster session (OT44F), highlighting rapid progress in biomolecular approaches to ocean observing and sustainable development.

The Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON) is a global initiative revolutionizing ocean monitoring through biomolecular science, including environmental DNA (eDNA).

Endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade, OBON leverages cutting-edge science to enable real-time, large-scale observation of marine life and ecosystems. OBON has established a global biomolecular network that collects and analyzes eDNA and other biomarkers from coastal to open waters, with the aim to address critical issues such as pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change. OBON is also building global capacity to improve biomolecular observation and analysis, while promoting equitable access to ocean knowledge and resources.

Through Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) data principles, integrated models, and collaborative approaches, OBON enhances the usability and interpretation of biomolecular data and contributes to the creation of actionable ocean knowledge. This work supports informed decision-making by empowering researchers, policymakers, and communities to better manage and conserve marine ecosystems.

With its scalable framework and inclusive approach, OBON serves as a critical tool for sustainable ocean stewardship and for advancing a holistic vision of ocean health in the decades ahead.

The POGO-supported Latin American and Caribbean Ocean Biomolecular Observation Network (LACOBON) delivered a hybrid eDNA Capacity building workshop at INVEMAR’s headquarters in Santa Marta, Colombia, from 10 to 14th of November 2025.

It gathered practitioners, stakeholders, professors, university students and environmental authorities from 20 institutions across the Latin America and Caribbean region and had the contribution of excellent instructors from leading institutions in different aspects of biomolecular research. Firstly, the workshop included lectures about fundamentals of DNA-based monitoring. Later we had discussion panels about the gaps, needs, challenges and priority actions to implement marine biomolecular monitoring in the different countries and institutions and the importance of scientific outreach to influence both scientists and stakeholders into a better understanding of the need of robust and modern technologies such as eDNA into environmental decisions.

The workshop also included experimental design, field campaigns design and a field trip to majestic Santa Marta’s coastline to capture aquatic and sedimentary eDNA samples to process and analyze in laboratory. Attendees had first-hand experience in DNA extraction, amplification and eDNA sample manipulation. Sequencing and bioinformatics basics were delivered through several talks, roundtables and discussion panels to explore better, most efficient, low cost technology that could be adopted in Latin America and the Caribbean for robust, comparable, FAIR, and affordable biomolecular research. Results of the field trip will be published in a scientific journal and will include comparisons on water volume methods and marine eukaryotic diversity of Santa Marta.

This funding is part of the Scaling Autonomous Integrated Global eDNA Observations (SAIGe) Collaboration, supported by the Minderoo Foundation.

To maximise impact and advance OBON’s objectives, this call will prioritise:

• Projects based in the West Pacific region.
• UN Ocean Decade endorsed projects associated with OBON
• Members of OBON Working Groups.

Submit an Expression of Intent (EoI) to Apply by 10 December.
Selected EoIs will be contact by 12 December, and invited to submit a full proposal by 14 Jan 2026.

Please read the Full Call for Expression of Intent and the SAIGe Funding Procedures of this call before submitting an Expression of Intent.

More information – links and downloads

• Call for Expressions of Intent to apply for the OBON-SAIGe Microgrants (Mailchimp)
• SAIGe Funding Procedures
• Expression of Interest form (proposal summary – 100 words max)
• Proposal Template for OBON Microgrants

Further information

If you have any queries please contact the OBON Programme Manager:

Ms. Luz H Rodriguez-Vargas

E-mail: lro@pml.ac.uk; please CC observing@obon-ocean.org in all correspondence to ensure that e-mails are picked up by a member of the team during the holiday period.

The OBON Network Spotlight: Projects Wave 2025 webinar series, hosted by the Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON), features presentations from projects endorsed as Ocean Decade initiatives under the OBON Programme.

Held during October, it provided viewers with the opportunity to learn about the progress of existing projects and be introduced to newly endorsed ones. The webinars covered a range of themes and, to increase accessibility for both presenters and attendees, the three sessions were spread across different time zones.

Two recent additions to the OBON Network – ANEMONE and PASTIME – were introduced in the June Webinar, watchable here.

The recordings are all publicly available on YouTube

1. OBON Projects – European Time
14th October 2025 from 13:00 – 14:30 BST (UTC +1)

• NEW PROJECT: Marma-detox – Whales and polar bear in a petri dish: decoding marine mammal toxicology through in vitro and in silico approaches – Anders Goksøyr, Norway
• NEW PROJECT: Blowomics – Courtney Waugh & Louise Fargette, Norway [NB unable to present – a separate recording will be made available at a later date]

2. OBON Projects – Americas Time
15th October 2025 from 21:00 – 22:30 BST (UTC +1) – Register here

• Marine Biodiversity Library & MPA eDNA monitoring – Kristen Westfall, Canada
• Pacific eDNA Coastal Observatory – Jennifer Sunday, Canada
• West Coast OBON – Nastassia Patin, USA
• BeBOP – Katie Pitz, USA

3. OBON Projects – Asia-Pacific Time
23rd October 2025 from 06:00 – 07:30 BST (UTC +1) – Register here

• OceanOmics: Monitoring & Protecting Ocean Life – Eric Raes & Philipp Bayer, Australia
• Making eDNA FAIR – Miwa Takahashi, Australia
• EMO BON – Ioulia Santi, France
• NEREA – Lucia Campese, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn
• HI-BON – Matt Lemay & Colleen Kellogg, Hakai Institute [NB unable to present – a separate recording will be made available at a later date]

All webinars were recorded and uploaded to OBON’s YouTube channel, allowing you to revisit the content or catch up if you cannot attend live.

4pm – 5pm BST

22 September 2025

About the event:

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is revolutionising how we detect and monitor marine mammals, offering a non-invasive, highly sensitive tool for assessing species presence in vast and remote ocean environments. Following strong interest during our recent IMarEST Defra mNCEA Marine Mammal Monitoring Innovation Stakeholder Workshop that was held in February, we are now hosting this dedicated eDNA webinar to explore its practical applications and future potential.

This session will cover how eDNA sampling works, its role in complementing traditional acoustic and visual surveys, and its emerging applications in conservation, impact assessments, and biodiversity monitoring. We’ll also discuss the challenges of eDNA sampling in marine systems and how it fits within a broader toolkit for protecting marine mammal populations.

Ideal for ecologists, regulators, industry professionals, and anyone interested in the future of marine wildlife science.

Speakers include Matt Lemay, from the Hakai Institute Biomolecular Observing Network (HI-BON) – an Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON) project.

Recording now available at:
https://youtu.be/snYJxYoc6Z0?si=0B5-J3NrUudZA-pK