NL Fish population Scan: characterising fish populations quickly and efficiently using eDNA metabarcoding

“The NL Fish Population Scan has recently been developed. This method makes it possible to identify a complete fish population with a single analysis of DNA traces in the surface water. The first results from samples from the river Roer and a comparison with catch data from a fish trap are very promising.
Water managers must periodically assess the state of their fish population e.g. for the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Depending on the water type, they measure quantities or biomass data alongside the species composition. New methods that focus on the presence of eDNA (traces) are a cheap and animal-friendly alternative compared to traditional fish population sampling, and possibly also more reliable thanks to a higher chance of detection. A new eDNA metabarcoding has been developed to monitor the species composition of a fish population: the NL Fish Population Scan. The method has been validated, and a water sampling protocol has been drawn up. The initial results show that a wide diversity of fish species has been detected in the analysed waters using this
metabarcoding methodology.”

(Citaat: Wullings, B.A., van der Pauw Kraan, D., Kardinaal, W.E.A., Hootsmans, M.J.M. – NL Fish population Scan: characterising fish populations quickly and efficiently using eDNA metabarcoding – Water Matters (2017)2)