Data from: Environmental DNA provides quantitative estimates of Pacific hake abundance and distribution in the open ocean

All species inevitably leave genetic traces in their environments, and the
resulting environmental DNA (eDNA) reflects the species present in a given
habitat. It remains unclear whether eDNA signals can provide quantitative
metrics of abundance on which human livelihoods or conservation successes
depend. Here, we report the results of a large eDNA ocean survey (spanning
86,000 km2 to depths of 500m) to understand the abundance and distribution
of Pacific hake Merluccius productus, the target of the largest finfish
fishery along the west coast of the United States. We sampled eDNA in
parallel with a traditional acoustic-trawl survey to assess the value of
eDNA surveys at a scale relevant to fisheries management. Despite local
differences, the two methods yield comparable information about the
broad-scale spatial distribution and abundance. Furthermore, we find depth
and spatial patterns of eDNA closely correspond to acoustic-trawl
estimates for hake. We demonstrate the power and efficacy of eDNA sampling
for estimating abundance and distribution, and move the analysis of eDNA
data beyond sample-to-sample comparisons to management-relevant scales. We
posit that eDNA methods are capable of providing general quantitative
applications that will prove especially valuable in data- or
resource-limited contexts.