eDNA Coordination Services with Molloy University

The Department of State (DOS) intends to contract with Molloy University for essential eDNA sequencing. The Long Island (LI) South Shore Estuary Reserve (SSER) 2025-2026 Strategic Investment Plan, in support of the LI SSER Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP), has identified eDNA as a critical method for tracking biodiversity and ecosystem recovery in the SSER into the future. A variety of approaches exist for sample collection, processing, sequencing, and analyses, and several stakeholders are interested or are currently collecting eDNA samples in various parts of the SSER. However, outside of informal discussions, there is currently no systematic coordination on sampling strategy or methodological approach. Furthermore, the eDNA sample treatment is unique to individual water bodies and must account for an ecosystem’s levels of productivity, temperature, and other characteristics. Given that there is a variety of both stakeholders and of methodological approaches, coordination is required in order to establish consensus on appropriate sample handling and processing and to develop a framework for translating eDNA results into usable metrics, which will directly address goals of the CMP related to research and monitoring of fisheries and other living resources.