UNESCO is strengthening ocean literacy while inviting the public to contribute to marine research. In its environmental DNA expeditions, trained volunteers collect samples from water, soil and air at protected marine sites. Laboratories analyse genetic traces in those samples, allowing researchers to detect species without needing to see or capture each animal directly. The method helps scientists identify species from genetic material left in the environment.
Since 2022, the initiative has involved 250 citizen scientists across 21 marine World Heritage sites and identified nearly 4,500 species. The expeditions are among more than 700 innovative projects operating through the United Nations Ocean Decade. UNESCO and its oceanographic commission promote cooperation among governments, scientific institutions, educators and civil society. The process also divides responsibilities: experts guide volunteers during collection, while specialized laboratories sequence the samples. This partnership produces new data while widening public participation in ocean science.