If you’ve just watched Ocean with David Attenborough and found yourself awed by the beauty and fragility of marine life, you’re not alone. Along with the millions of others who watched this in turns devastating yet hopeful documentary, you may be asking: How can we better understand and protect life beneath the waves?
One of the most exciting – and little-known – advances in marine science today is the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to monitor the ocean. Leading this scientific revolution is a powerful global partnership known as the Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON).
Backed by international institutions and spearheaded by organisations like the Marine Biological Association (MBA), the CEO of which, Professor Willie Wilson, plays a key leadership role, OBON is changing how we explore, understand, and ultimately protect the ocean.
What is eDNA sampling and how is it used?
Every marine organism leaves traces of itself in the water; tiny fragments of skin, mucus, or waste containing its DNA. Known as environmental DNA, or eDNA, this genetic footprint can be collected with something as simple as a bottle of seawater.
Scientists then analyse the sample to identify which species are present—without needing to catch, tag, or even see them, like taking a genetic ‘snapshot’ of the ocean.
“eDNA allows us to detect the invisible,” says Professor Wilson. “We can now monitor marine biodiversity quickly, cost-effectively, and with minimal impact on wildlife.”
This method is especially useful for spotting elusive, rare, or deep-sea creatures that traditional surveys might miss. It’s also faster, safer, and significantly less expensive than diving, trawling, or using large research vessels. This opens up the possibility of making ocean science accessible to all nations, not just the wealthiest.
OBON: A global network for our ocean
OBON is a globally coordinated initiative, operating under the Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO). OBON’s mission is ambitious: to make eDNA monitoring a core part of how we observe and protect the ocean worldwide.
To do that, OBON is:
- developing international standards for collecting and analysing eDNA
- building open data systems so that scientists can share findings globally
- training scientists in developing nations, so they can monitor their own waters independently
- linking biodiversity data to global policies on conservation, sustainability, and climate action.
As an endorsed Programme of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, OBON uses this partnership help translate complex genetic science into real-world policy and decision-making.
“This is about more than science; it’s about equity,” says Professor Wilson. “eDNA makes it possible for countries with fewer resources to join the global effort to understand and protect marine life.”
As a respected marine science institution since 1884, the Marine Biological Association has always been at the forefront of ocean research. Today, through its leadership role in OBON and POGO, the MBA continues to shape the future of marine conservation.
Professor Wilson sits on OBON’s Executive Group, guiding the network’s global strategy. Under his leadership, the MBA helps to drive innovation in ocean biodiversity monitoring, particularly in areas such as:
- standardisation (so that eDNA data is trusted and globally comparable)
- technology development (partnering with engineers to refine eDNA tools)
- policy engagement (ensuring governments understand and adopt eDNA methods).
The future: Robots that sample the sea
Imagine fleets of underwater drones silently patrolling the ocean, collecting eDNA as they go. That future might be closer than you think. OBON is now working with robotics experts to integrate eDNA samplers into Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), self-guided robots that can cover vast areas of ocean. These AUVs will:
- filter and preserve eDNA samples in real time
- target specific conditions (such as water temperature or algal blooms)
- sequence DNA onboard for instant biodiversity assessments.
This kind of innovation will revolutionise how we map life in the ocean, respond to changes in ecosystems, and protect endangered species.
If there’s one message from Ocean with David Attenborough, it’s this: the ocean is beautiful and powerful – but also fragile. It holds most of Earth’s biodiversity, yet we still know relatively little about it.
With climate change, pollution, and overfishing all threatening marine ecosystems, we need smarter, faster, and more accessible ways to understand what’s happening beneath the surface.
That’s what OBON offers and the Marine Biological Association is proud to help lead the way.
What you can do:
- Learn more about eDNA and ocean science at www.mba.ac.uk
- Become a Member of the MBA to support our science – Whether you’re a student, professional, or simply passionate about our ocean, we have a membership category for you.
- Spread the word; share this article and help others to understand the power of new tools like eDNA for global ocean observation and biodiversity protection.
The more we know about the ocean, the better we can protect it, for all life on Earth.
