OceanOmics: eDNA to Guide Marine Protection with Dr. Michael Bunce

Turn seawater into a species map. In this episode of Oceanography, host Clark Marchese talks with OceanOmics director Dr. Michael Bunce about how eDNA (environmental DNA), DNA barcoding, and genomics reveal what’s living in the ocean—from microbes to megafauna—using just a few liters of water. We follow the journey from deck to lab, then into powerful, human-friendly AI dashboards that translate massive datasets into decisions about fisheries, marine protected areas, water quality, and climate resilience. We also explore citizen science with easy eDNA kits and how these data help detect invasive species and track ecosystem health over time. If you’re curious how OceanOmics is transforming biodiversity monitoring into actionable ocean intelligence, this conversation is your field guide.

Episode Guest. Dr. Michael Bunce

Find all Dr. Bunce’s publications on Google Scholar

Learn more on the OceanOmics webpage and explore the OceanOmics Dashboard

Discover the work of the Minderoo Foundation on their website and on Instagram

Listen to the other PFM interview with a team of Minderoo scientists on the impacts of plastic on human health 

Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media website

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Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese 

Cover art by Jomiro Eming

Theme music by Nela Ruiz

Find some more Pine Forest Media podcasts below:

Listen to South Pole on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Listen to Plastic Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Listen to Something in the Water on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

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