Scaling Autonomous Integrated Global eDNA Observations (SAIGe)

Marine biodiversity is in decline as a result of anthropogenic threats, but our capacity to adequately document this change and understand impacts of protection and restoration efforts rests on our ability to measure biodiversity change across the interconnected ocean. As a universal signature of life on Earth, eDNA can deliver an understanding of changing marine life at scale. Our vision is to achieve integrated autonomous global eDNA observations that will address key scientific challenges to restore the health of our ocean. This will be achieved through networks of excellence; capacity development; application of sampling innovation; and encouraging data and protocol standardisation. Delivery of this proposed first phase will involve a one-to-many approach facilitated by the Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON) through microgrants to fund exemplar projects in the WESTPAC region; establishment of a Global Fish Observatory Pilot Study; support for the establishment of an eDNA training Centre in Malaysia; and workshops/meetings to enhance the global network and disseminate SAIGe outcomes in preparation for future programme phases. The impact of predictive capability from a scaled global programme will revolutionise sustainable ocean management.

To achieve integrated autonomous global eDNA observations that will address key scientific challenges to restore the health of our ocean.

Aligning closely with Minderoo Foundation’s and OBON’s objectives, our mission is to lay the groundwork for a global eDNA observing programme that will survey marine biodiversity over broad spatial and temporal scales, ensuring equitable access; leveraging the OBON UN-endorsed Programme, including its network of projects and working groups; and accelerating the use of eDNA autonomous sampling technology.

While technological advancements over the last decade, particularly in eDNA analysis, have significantly enhanced our capacity to make biological and taxonomically resolved observations in the global ocean over a range of spatial and temporal scales, there are still barriers to collection of global biodiversity data: 1) slow progress in the adoption of innovative observing technologies for biodiversity (e.g. autonomous sampling for eDNA); 2) continued reliance on labour-intensive methods, particularly in open ocean regions; 3) lack of coordinated basin-scale observations; 4) insufficient coordination and standardisation of i) data (i.e. data is often not FAIR [Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable] thereby impeding sharing and reuse), and; ii) protocols; 5) training and resource availability in regions where biodiversity monitoring is most sparse (particularly the Global South).

Addressing these challenges effectively will require innovative solutions as well as international cooperation and partnerships to ensure the long-term health of our oceans. With its global network of 21 projects focussed on biomolecular observing, the OBON Programme presents a unique opportunity to integrate autonomous and standardised sampling technologies for comprehensive, high-resolution data collection and curation to support and expand ocean biodiversity monitoring efforts. OBON will accelerate valuable collaborations by developing and building networks to strengthen capacity globally. Critically, this will advance eDNA monitoring and analyses while ensuring equitable access to biodiversity data.

The Goal of this pilot study is to develop a scalable one-to-many approach facilitated by OBON through microgrants to fund a range of exemplar projects focused mainly on the WESTPAC region and develop a regional network in preparation for future SAIGe phases and global implementation. Our approach for delivering this goal will be through a series of 5 work packages.

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