eDNA FISHMON

eDNA monitoring of fish communities Seawater eDNA and subsequent genetic analyses provide a good representation of known fish communities in the Belgian part of the North Sea. During the zero-impact project, eDNA samples were collected in autumn 2021, 2022 and 2023 to refine the method. eDNA results were compared each time with catch data in these locations. This project has now ended, but given the nice similarities between eDNA and catch data, ILVO wishes to further sample 15 stations spread across the coastal, transition and offshore zone, so that an eDNA time series is available for the BPNS. At each of these 15 stations, the Niskin carousel is lowered, and 5 Niskin bottles are closed at about 1m from the seabed. On board, 2L of the Niskin bottles are collected in plastic drinking water bottles, labelled and then placed in the frig in the dark. The water from the bottles is then further processed in ILVO's genetics lab.

Cruises

Plan code Principal Investigator Duration Shared campaigns