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OceanOmics: Monitoring & Protecting Ocean Life

[Image: Abrolhos Islands | Credit: Giacomo d’Orlando & Minderoo]

Genomics, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are technologies that have the potential to transform ocean conservation. Minderoo Foundation’s OceanOmics program is advancing these technologies to improve knowledge gained through marine monitoring, to inform how we combat threats to ocean health.

Our goal is to use eDNA approaches to monitor life more accurately in the global ocean. With an initial focus on the continental Australian Commonwealth marine estate. Our vessel the Pangaea Ocean Explorer has capabilities for onboard genomic analyses. OceanOmics is creating resources that enable broad scale deployment of marine eDNA, including reference library generation for marine vertebrates; novel methods for monitoring and combating threats to marine wildlife and ecosystems; quantifying the health status of current marine protected areas (MPAs); and assisting governments and management agencies in identifying new biodiversity hotspots and ecosystems in need of protection.

OceanOmics was introduced in Webinar 5 of the OBON Network Spotlight series – view on YouTube.

Lead Institute
Project updates

Project period

1 January, 2022 – 31 December, 2030 

Joined OBON in October, 2023
Find out more about the project
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