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October 10, 2025
How eDNA is Changing Whale Research
Whale research is undergoing a significant transformation, and Prince of Whales is excited to be at the forefront of this evolution. Recognizing the critical need for advancements in marine science, we have committed to supporting this OceanWise project over two years to support impactful research initiatives. A key area of their focus has been the funding of work utilizing environmental DNA (eDNA) to study whale populations during the challenging winter months, a period when traditional research methods often face significant limitations due to harsh weather conditions and reduced accessibility.
One groundbreaking study we supported delved into the persistence of whale DNA at the ocean’s surface following a dive. The findings of this research were remarkable, demonstrating that whale eDNA remains detectable for at least five minutes after the animal submerges. This seemingly simple discovery carries profound implications for the future of whale research. It unequivocally establishes eDNA analysis as a reliable method for gathering crucial whale presence and distribution data without resorting to invasive techniques such as biopsies. This not only enhances the safety and well-being of these magnificent creatures but also broadens the accessibility of whale research for scientists around the globe, potentially allowing for more widespread and frequent data collection.
Building upon the success of this initial investigation, researchers embarked on a novel approach this past winter: collecting eDNA samples directly from prey events. The objective of this study is to determine whether eDNA analysis can eventually serve as a viable alternative to traditional prey sampling methods, which typically involve the physical collection of matter such as fish scales or tissue. While analyzing these eDNA samples is still underway, the potential benefits of a successful outcome are immense. The ability to analyze eDNA from prey events could increase the volume of samples that can be collected, providing researchers with a deeper understanding of whale diets, foraging behaviours, and the ecological relationships between whales and their prey across different seasons and locations.
We proudly supported an innovative project focused on analyzing eDNA extracted from flukeprints, the unique, smooth surface patterns left on the water as whales dive. This research aimed to determine if eDNA from these flukeprints could be used to identify the sex of individual whales. For humpback whales, the results were highly encouraging, indicating that eDNA analysis of flukeprints offers a reliable, non-invasive alternative to existing sexing techniques. The study of killer whales presented a slightly greater challenge, likely due to their proximity to one another during travel, potentially leading to mixed DNA samples. However, the preliminary results for killer whales are still promising and warrant further investigation.
The findings from two of these eDNA studies have reached a significant milestone: they have been submitted for publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals. We anticipate the official publication of these studies and are committed to being the first to share these exciting new insights with our community and the wider public!
Looking ahead, our commitment to advancing whale research continues. We are particularly excited about upcoming investigations into the winter activities of humpback whales and Bigg’s killer whales. Stay tuned for further updates on these and other exciting developments in the whale research world!
Read more about our work with OceanWise:
