Innovative eDNA technique could revolutionise aquaculture monitoring

A novel environmental DNA (eDNA) method could transform seabed monitoring at fish farms by reducing costs and processing times. Developed through a collaboration involving the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre and the Scottish Association for Marine Science, the technique uses metabarcoding and machine learning to assess seabed health, replacing manual invertebrate identification. The new approach, which aligns with the Infaunal Quality Index, offers faster insights into environmental impacts, supporting compliance and sustainability goals. Validation by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is underway, with an open-source toolkit planned to aid global adoption by aquaculture producers and regulators. (The Fish Site)