A national training session explored the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) as an innovative tool to enhance marine biodiversity monitoring in Tunisia.
Organized by the Ministry of the Environment and the National Gene Bank, with the support of SPA/RAC, the session brought together over 60 representatives from national institutions, universities, scientific laboratories, marine protected areas and civil society organizations.
The activity was carried out within the framework of implementing the Ecosystem Approach and the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP) in Tunisia, under the EU-funded SEMPA project.
The training provided an overview of IMAP requirements and introduced the scientific principles and marine applications of environmental DNA. International experience was shared through the LIFE CONCEPTU MARIS project, particularly on cetacean monitoring, alongside national insights presented by WWF North Africa on the use of eDNA in marine ecosystems.
Discussions also addressed the opportunities, limitations and conditions for integrating this innovative and complementary tool into national monitoring programmes, while strengthening coordination among stakeholders involved in marine biodiversity monitoring.
Environmental DNA is increasingly recognized as a promising approach to improve the detection of rare, protected or hard-to-observe species, contributing to stronger scientific data and supporting regional and global biodiversity commitments.
