A new collaboration between the Minderoo Foundation and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) aims to accelerate global ocean conservation by using environmental DNA (eDNA) to assess species at risk of extinction. This partnership focuses on using innovative technology to enhance the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, a critical tool for global conservation decision-making.

Revolutionizing Species Assessments with eDNA

eDNA technology captures genetic material from organisms present in the environment, offering a rapid, comprehensive way to monitor species in marine ecosystems. By analyzing small samples of seawater, eDNA can detect the presence of a wide variety of species, including those that are difficult to track using traditional survey methods. The collaboration between Minderoo’s OceanOmics team and IUCN aims to close gaps in species data, improving the accuracy of extinction risk assessments, particularly for data-deficient species.

Neil Cox, Manager of the IUCN-CI Biodiversity Assessment Unit, highlighted the potential of eDNA in strengthening the IUCN Red List. “Improved use of high-quality environmental DNA records offers IUCN and partners a clear opportunity to access cutting-edge data for a wide range of threatened species,” he said.

A Focus on Marine Fish Species

In 2025, the partnership will begin by assessing over 600 marine fish species from Australia and New Zealand using eDNA. This data-driven approach could significantly enhance the detection and monitoring of threatened species, with the potential to extend the technique to other species in the future, particularly those with insufficient data. The collaboration will also hold workshops and species assessments to refine the integration of eDNA into global conservation efforts.

Dr. Matthew Fraser, who oversees Minderoo’s Research, Biodiversity & Ecology work, emphasized that eDNA offers a transformative tool for fast-tracking species assessments and conservation decision-making. "With nature in crisis, this collaboration will provide the tools to fast-track information on threatened species and enhance conservation decision-making,” he stated.

Sharing Results at the IUCN World Conservation Congress

The findings from the partnership will be presented at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi in October 2025. This event, one of the most significant gatherings of conservationists globally, will serve as a platform to share the outcomes of this innovative collaboration. As the 60th anniversary of the IUCN Red List approaches, the organization, alongside its partners, has launched a global social media campaign to raise awareness and funding to further accelerate species assessments.