143rd Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society

September 08 - 14, 2013

Inherent in the theme of the 143^rd meeting of the AFS, “Preparing for the challenges ahead”, is the incorporation of new technologies to improve conservation and management of fishery resources and aquatic habitat.  In this context, rapid advances in the field of molecular genetics continue to provide new tools for research, management and conservation.  One such genetic tool is environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis.  eDNA refers to DNA that organisms leave behind or shed as they pass through the environment.  This shed DNA can be detected using routine molecular techniques such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify species-specific genes, potentially linking the organism to the environment without actually observing the organism.  eDNA analysis is currently being evaluated and applied for uses such as surveillance and control of aquatic invasive species, identification and monitoring of endangered species, and analysis of biodiversity.  In this symposium we will explore the methodologies and potential uses of eDNA analysis for monitoring, managing and conserving fishery resources and aquatic habitat.