This story is a part of the GenOcean campaign — an official Ocean Decade campaign showcasing Decade Actions, collaborating organizations and ocean leaders that focus on youth and citizen science opportunities to help anyone, anywhere be the change the ocean needs.
Across the globe, youth are stepping up to protect the ocean in ways that were once only possible for professional scientists. Over three years, the UNESCO Environmental DNA (eDNA) Expeditions engaged more than 250 young volunteers from 19 countries in collecting eDNA across 21 UNESCO’s marine World Heritage sites. This groundbreaking citizen science project allowed participants, particularly local schoolchildren, to play a direct role in studying marine biodiversity and the impacts of climate change on ocean ecosystems. Once completed, participants of the eDNA Expeditions identified over 4,000 marine species!
The UNESCO eDNA Expeditions addresses four Decade Challenges:
2 – Protect and restore ecosystems and biodiversity
3 – Sustainably nourish the global population
5 – Unlock ocean-based solutions to climate change
7 – Sustainably expand the global ocean observing system
Through their involvement, young people have not only supported the scientific monitoring of marine biodiversity but also gained practical, hands-on experience in conservation science, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility to protect the ocean. By empowering the next generation of scientists and conservationists, the project promotes people-led, science-based and inspiring ocean conservation efforts.
“It is inspiring to see how the UNESCO eDNA initiative allows young students to assist in a simple but meaningful way with establishing important baselines that can help identify changes in reef biodiversity and health in the future,” said Justin Gilligan, Manager, Lord Howe Island Marine Park, Australia.

A Game-Changing Sampling Method for Accessible Environmental Conservation
The project’s scientific approach, utilizing advanced eDNA technology to gather data from the water, has contributed to a greater understanding of marine life and climate change’s effects on ocean ecosystems. Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is genetic material of all different kinds of marine life including animals, plants and bacteria that are collected from the environment, and in this case, water samples which contain mucus and waste. This approach allows scientists to determine what species may be using certain sites as habitat for feeding, breeding or stopovers in their travels. eDNA combined with ocean warming data can provide initial insights on how climate change might influence the distribution of fish, mammal and invertebrate species around the globe. The students involved in these expeditions had the opportunity to learn how this technique works and what the results could mean for the future of their beloved coastal zones.
“We did an eDNA sampling project at Fowler’s Camp [a part of the Shark Bay, Western Australia World Heritage site], which was very fun,” said Connor, a student from the Shark Bay School in Australia. “We tested the water to see what animal life has been here in Shark Bay. We also tested the water to see if any warm water species of fish have been in Shark Bay. If there are warm water species in the area, this could mean that the warm water is coming further down the coast, and that is a sign of global warming. So, hopefully this DNA test will help us with all of these things happening.”
Students all over the world, from urbanized coastal cities to rural landscapes, gained new appreciation for their local marine habitats in this citizen science project.

“It is fascinating to witness young students from deep rural areas using innovative eDNA research tools to collect data that can help us better understand how marine species might distribute in the future due to climate change,” said Sibusiso Bukhosini, CEO of iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site, South Africa.
This kind of sampling avoids collecting individual organisms, making it more humane and accessible. Plus, the technology to analyze eDNA samples is advancing and scaling, allowing teachers, nonprofits and other educational institutions that do not have access to state-of-the-art labs or university-level research grants to learn about their local environments using reputable scientific methods. It’s a game-changing sampling method for accessible environmental conservation.
“eDNA could transform the way we monitor and protect marine biodiversity in the Sundarbans. UNESCO’s initiative is critical to help ensure developing nations have access to the latest innovation and technologies,” said Prof. Dr. Kazi Ahsan Habib, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Bangladesh.
“In a context of global change from which the Southern Ocean is not exempt, the still intact environments of the French Austral Lands and Seas are real observatories of life,” said Franck Lustenberger, Director of the Environment, TAAF, French Austral Lands and Seas World Heritage Site. “The eDNA method is a valuable tool for monitoring the state of conservation of marine biodiversity and detecting the presence of invasive alien species, about which we have little information at this stage.”

Youth-Collected Data Making a Difference
Water samples collected by volunteers were analyzed by experts and the results of which species were present and where were made publicly accessible through the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) coordinated by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, ensuring transparency and furthering the principles of open science. The findings have been shared at international forums, such as the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in India in 2024, underscoring the critical role of youth participation and citizen science opportunities in global conservation efforts. By returning the results to participating schoolchildren, the project has not only provided valuable data but also inspired continued engagement in marine science and advocacy for ocean protection.
This initiative marks a significant milestone in both the field of ocean monitoring and the global movement toward sustainable ocean management, offering an innovative model for citizen science that can be replicated worldwide. It reflects the Ocean Decade’s commitment to fostering a deeper, more inclusive understanding of marine biodiversity while empowering local communities and the next generation of environmental stewards to be the change the ocean needs.
Learn more about the expedition and explore the scientific database here.
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