August 26, 2025 — NOAA Fisheries has developed an improved environmental DNA (eDNA) tool that will enable scientists to better understand rockfish species and could inform management of the U.S. commercial fishery.
Environmental DNA tools test for genetic material in collected water samples, allowing scientists to detect the presence of various animals. NOAA Fisheries has worked to adopt eDNA tools to help improve its species management, especially with fish that are difficult or cost prohibitive to track otherwise. Rockfish, for instance, live in rocky areas that are not conducive to trawling and are not distributed evenly. By using eDNA, scientists can get a better picture of where rockfish are present in a body of water.