Unlocking Ocean Secrets: Marine Mammal Monitoring Through eDNA

Produced by members of the Marine Mammal Special Interest Group (MMSIG), a technical group within the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST).

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 IMarEST Defra mNCEA Marine Mammal Monitoring Innovation Stakeholder Workshop that was held in February 2025, we are hosted a dedicated eDNA webinar in September 2025 to explore its practical applications and future potential, hosted by Ashleigh Kitchiner at the IMarEST.

It was clear that interest in the subject is stronger than ever. The discussion brought together researchers, practitioners, and students from across the world to learn about how eDNA is being applied in marine mammal science, from diet analysis to conservation monitoring.

While the conversation was rich and wide-ranging, time ran short and we were unable to address the many thoughtful questions submitted by participants. Below is a summary of the key themes raised, which we will continue to explore throughout this article:

17 Dec 2025