Eddy Luy and Connor Mackey of Dartmouth Ocean Technologies prepare the eDNA sampler for deployment. - SubmittedA Nova Scotia company that specializes in collecting DNA samples from the ocean is teaming up with a U.K. company that uses a proprietary system to analyze them.
Furlong told SaltWire he anticipates the partnership with NatureMetrics will mean more contracts coming in the door at the company’s head office at The Cove on Dartmouth’s waterfront.“They have their own proprietary filtering system and we have adapted ourto use their filters,” he added. “That means, immediately, all of their customers around the world would have a need for our sampler.”
“If you used it on an aquaculture site, you could determine if there was a harmful algae bloom growing.”It’s time-consuming work and limited to good weather and easy access to the area that needs to be sampled.TeamworkDr. Samuel Stanton, Head of Marine at NatureMetrics, said in a release that the partnership makes eDNA technology more widely available to marine industries.
“This collaboration has the potential to revolutionise the way we approach marine biodiversity management,” he said.Weighing in at just over 20 pounds, the eDNA sampler created by Dartmouth Ocean Technologies can monitor the ocean for harmful algae and parasites as well as collect DNA to show the presence of marine species. - Contributed
He’s already landed contracts to put the eDNA sampler in the hands of Department of Fisheries and Oceans scientists across Canada.They’ve also landed a contract with a company in France for three units and are anticipating an order for three more units with a German company. “We’re engaged with the navy on an ideas project to turn our sampler into a sensor to be able to sense marine mammals, in support of sonar operations,” he said.