1. NYC/NJ Fish eDNA Project
Mapping fish with environmental DNA (eDNA)
Monitoring fish distribution and abundance
Detecting invasive, endangered species
Potentially faster, cheaper, gentler than traditional methods
Rockefeller
University
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Monmouth
University
Monmouth University and Rockefeller University Marine Research Initiative (MURU)
RU Summer Science Research Program, RU Program for the Human Environment

2. Surrounded by Fish: NYC Marine Fish eDNA Survey
Collection sites 2015

3. NYC awash in fish (eDNA)
13 fish species at 14 shoreline sites
Menhaden, herring eDNA abundant, widespread
Non-native species eDNA: European seabass (“branzino”)

4. eDNA tells about local environment
Sites differ in fish/human, #species, most abundant
Nearby sites similar

5. Tidal strait has nearshore fish eDNA

6. Salt marsh has salt marsh species eDNA

7. eDNA detects a non-native fish
European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) at 1 Hudson River location
Marketed as “branzino”
Native to Europe, extensively farmed in Mediterranean
Some fish farming locations in US and Canada
Other non-native dietary species not found (incl salmon, tilapia, tuna)
No known reports of wild individuals in US

8. People, Partners, Sponsors
MURU Marine Research Initiative
A collaboration between:
Jeanne Garbarino
LABORATORY OF GENETICALLY ENCODED SMALL MOLECULES
Zachary Charop-Powers
Howard Rosenbaum