Using eDNA to Support Fisheries and Biodiversity Monitoring on Stellwagen Bank and Beyond, Tim O’Donnell, Research Scientist, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute Inc.

Our guest speaker April 8^th is Tim O’Donnell Research Scientist, Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute Inc., who will present details concerning ongoing research using eDNA to assess fisheries biodiversity from Stellwagen Bank to the Wind Turbine Areas South of Massachusetts.  The focus of Mr. O’Donnell’s research is to use genomic sequencing/eDNA to understand genetic population structure, diversity, and effective population size, which are all critical for the accurate assessment and sustainable management of fish stocks.  The use of eDNA can provide details concerning the spatial and temporal distribution of important species and how they might interact with anthropogenic activities and changing ocean conditions. Molecular techniques can also assist in understanding the prevalence and impact of disease and viral pathogens on populations, and generate estimates for population census size.  Additional details can be found at https://gmgi.org/about/team/research-team/tim-odonnell/