Minderoo Foundation joins forces with UNESCO to turbocharge ocean conservation through eDNA

12 Jun 2025 – Minderoo Foundation will partner with UNESCO to use environmental DNA (eDNA) technology to help survey and protect some of the planet’s most precious World Heritage marine reserves.

Phase I of the eDNA Expeditions programme engaged 250 citizen scientists who collected over 400 samples at 21 UNESCO World Heritage Marine Sites, resulting in the identification of more than 4,000 species.

Building on this success, eDNA Expeditions Phase II – for which Minderoo Foundation will provide AU$3.5 million – will seek to establish long-term molecular biodiversity observation capacity at 25 marine protected areas serving as global reference sites, with a target of collecting 3,000 samples – a significant leap forward in monitoring capabilities.

It will also include a global citizen science campaign led by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO), powered by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS).

“Today we are calling on all world leaders who profess to care about our ocean and its biodiversity to embrace the power of DNA technology – it is, quite simply, a game-changer in understanding ocean health,” Dr Andrew Forrest said.

“By analysing tiny traces of genetic material left behind by marine life, eDNA gives us a non-invasive, accurate, and scalable way to track biodiversity.

“eDNA allows scientists and policymakers to monitor biodiversity and make better decisions – this UNESCO-Minderoo collaboration puts this tool in the hands of people looking after some of the planet’s most precious world heritage marine sites.

“Without holistic biodiversity data, we’re flying blind. With eDNA, we have a powerful tool to guide bold, science-based action and listen to what the ocean is telling us.”

Within a single one litre seawater sample, eDNA techniques can reveal genetic traces of thousands of species, from bacteria to whales. Compared to other existing technologies, it is incredibly accessible, affordable, non-invasive and fast – reducing data collection times from years to weeks.

In 2020, Minderoo Foundation established its OceanOmics program and has since opened a cutting-edge lab at the University of Western Australia.

“To date, we have successfully collected and analysed over 10,000 eDNA samples across a diverse range of marine environments – from the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef to the unique marine ecosystems of the Abrolhos Islands and the Indian Ocean Territories, the deep-sea habitats of Perth Canyon, as well as the nearshore waters along Western Australia’s south-west coast,” Professor Mike Bunce, Director of OceanOmics, said.

“Minderoo’s support of the UNESCO eDNA programme will allow for the mobilisation and engagement of communities, local rangers and especially young citizens, through hands-on science and conservation activities using eDNA, a cutting-edge yet accessible technology.

“Our key message is that anyone can take an eDNA sample and help to build a wave of biodiversity monitoring around the globe – this ecosystem intelligence enables us to listen to nature more effectively.

“Together – through the power of DNA exploration – Minderoo Foundation, UNESCO and our partners will ensure that these pristine marine environments remain a source of inspiration and wonder for generations to come.”

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