Implementation of environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for ecosystem-based fisheries management

The analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA, see Glossary) has been proposed as a cost-effective tool to improve fish stock assessments and to address the knowledge requirements for EBFM. Although extensive validation and benchmarking work remains before eDNA can be integrated into fish stock assessment frameworks, important preliminary eDNA research underscores the potential of eDNA to drive advancement from stock assessments limited to trawl survey and catch data toward the implementation of EBFM. The key challenge moving forward, however, will be establishing an acceptable balance between new knowledge and uncertainty, particularly regarding false negatives, as well as eDNA degradation and transport rates. Furthermore, eDNA methods are currently unsuitable for resolving fish age estimation errors, maturity status, acoustic interpretations, and life history structures, all of which are critically important for accurate stock assessments. Recent research, however, demonstrates that the immediate potential benefits for eDNA applications to accommodate resource limitations and supplement traditional survey data demand an open and constructive dialog for prompt implementation of eDNA applications within fish stock assessment streams. 2020 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) NWFSC (Northwest Fisheries Science Center) Submitted https://doi.org/10.25923/e736-vn83 Public Domain 1861