How Citizen Science can change wildlife conservation through
eDNA monitoring​

The Mediterranean monk seal is one of the world’s most endangered marine mammals, with a global population of 815–997 individuals remaining. Humans have exploited the species since prehistoric times, and it has faced many threats, from habitat loss to human persecution. Once, you could find it all over the Mediterranean… today, it mostly lives in remote marine caves, where it hides from any human contact. Recently, scientists and conservation organizations have joined their efforts and succeeded in helping increase the population size of the Mediterranean monk seal. Now, a study has researched the impact of citizen science on Mediterranean monk seal conservation efforts through eDNA monitoring. To support these efforts, scientists of the University of Milano-Bicocca have introduced the BioBlitz method, to better track the seals’ movements and avoid double counting.

What is eDNA?
When an organism, for example a fish, moves through the environment, it’s constantly shedding bits of itself — this could be anything ranging from cells, tissues, fluids, mucus to faeces. The DNA in this organic matter is known as environmental DNA (eDNA). If someone tested a sample of the water, these pieces of DNA could indicate the recent presence of the fish, even if the fish itself is nowhere to be seen. Collecting DNA in such a way allows scientists to get a better understanding of the species that live in a certain environment than if they only relied on identifying species by sight. Detecting wildlife with non-invasive eDNA sampling is especially valuable in wildlife management and can enhance conventional approaches. According to the IUCN, this is especially useful to identify critical habitats for the protection of rare species and it can also be useful to identify if an invasive species is present in the environment. Another benefit of eDNA sampling is that it can be done by anybody — after receiving the proper training. This is where citizen scientists come into play.

The Mediterranean monk seal study
In the study, aimed at evaluating the use of citizen science in eDNA monitoring for the Mediterranean monk seal conservation, citizen scientists collected samples to detect the presence of the seal. To do so, volunteers collected water samples over a period of three months in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, using the Water eDNA Trap (WET) system. This user-friendly filtration system was designed to allow citizens to collect and process large water volumes (up to 12 litres) without requiring electricity. Once the samples were turned in, the scientists behind the study extracted DNA from the samples that the volunteers had collected, using a special kit and analyzed it through a process called quantitative real-time PCR, which helps identify and measure the amount of seal DNA present. To assess how well the method used by citizen scientists, the researchers compared the performance of the WET system with that of a traditional vacuum pump filtration system. The results were, in fact, promising: both systems performed equally well in detecting monk seal DNA, with no significant difference in detection rates. While there were some minor malfunctions, such as filter breakage and water loss during filtration, or some mistakes by the volunteers, these did not significantly affect the overall findings. In fact, nearly half of the samples (45%) tested positive for monk seal DNA, a remarkable detection rate, especially considering the challenges of collecting samples in a low-density area. This not only demonstrates the effectiveness of the WET system but also shows how critical citizen science can be to conservation efforts.

The last eDNA sampling done during the Polarquest 2021 expedition.

Citizen Science Plays a Key Role in Ocean Literacy
The impact of citizen science, however, goes beyond just collecting eDNA of the Mediterranean monk seal. The study also aimed to explore how participating in this kind of research affected the volunteers. A questionnaire revealed that the volunteers knew much more about monk seals and eDNA technology after having participated in the study, with a 92% increase in perceived knowledge. Even more striking was the 225% increase in knowledge specifically about eDNA, showcasing that citizen science can play a key role in supporting scientific literacy. The volunteers also felt more confident in their capacity and ability to contribute to conservation efforts. Perhaps most notably, the study found that participating in this project led to a 20% increase in community-focused conservation behaviours. Volunteers found themselves discussing monk seal conservation with friends and family and they even felt more environmentally conscious. This highlights yet another important result of citizen science: it not only contributes to collecting scientific data, but also inspires positive behavioural changes. While the study’s findings are encouraging, it’s important to note that the small sample size limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions. However, the results provide valuable insights into the potential of citizen science for monitoring endangered species, especially in hard-to-reach areas. As the WET system gets more and more refined and more volunteers are trained, future studies could build on these findings, further establishing the role of citizen science in conserving our planet’s beautiful nature.

Polarquest’s Fleet4Science joins the effort through BioBlitz
Polarquest, through its newly launched Fleet4Science, has teamed up with the Environmental Science Department of the University of Milano-Bicocca to support the Spot the Monk campaign. Led by marine biologist Elena Valsecchi, the project aims to collect environmental DNA across the Mediterranean to track the elusive monk seal. Since monk seals can travel long distances, with up to 40 miles a day, scientists from Milano-Bicocca have developed the BioBlitz method, which involves collecting water samples from many different locations at the same time. This helps avoid duplicate samples from the same animal and provides a more accurate view of where monk seals are present. This is where Fleet4Science comes in. Launched in 2025 as part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science, the initiative mobilizes a network of small, low-impact sailing vessels to support marine research. These boats help extend the reach of science into remote areas, making marine conservation efforts more effective and accessible.

Want to get involved?
Whether you’re a sailor, a science enthusiast, or simply passionate about the ocean, there’s a place for you in this effort. Learn more about joining the Spot-The-Monk campaign or becoming part of Fleet4Science through our website. You can also track our BioBlitz activities on social media. Every drop of effort counts when it comes to protecting our oceans.

• Read the Monk Seal Study Paper here

• Learn more about Polarquest and all our activities here

• Track our BioBlitz activities on social media: Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube