Passionate about marine megafauna, I began my career working on elasmobranchs around La Réunion Island, a French island in the Indian Ocean. I analysed environmental DNA to study elusive elasmobranch species in the island’s coastal waters. Currently, I am a PhD student conducting research on cetaceans in the western Mediterranean, again using environmental DNA analysis.
Among the eight cetacean species residing between Spain and the Balearic Islands, five are listed as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List. Species such as the bottlenose dolphin are fairly well-known, while others, like Cuvier’s beaked whale, are less familiar. The use of environmental DNA analysis is particularly valuable because it allows us to study species without physically interacting with or even observing them. This method can also be combined with others, such as acoustic analysis. By better understanding their distribution, seasonality, and diet, we hope to improve conservation policies for these cetacean species. Results from our study can also enhance public awareness and improve general knowledge, so that citizens become more aware of the cetacean species present in the sea.
