The UNIFIeD project has produced an initial insight into the views of researchers and stakeholders in the Nordic region about the standardization and implementation of eDNA in marine monitoring. Although the number of participating researchers and stakeholders has been limited, it has facilitated increased international knowledge sharing and communication between key parties on this issue.
Since the UNIFIeD survey results are based on a limited number of responses, the report does not represent the views of all researchers and stakeholders in the Nordic region. However, it provides an excellent basis for enhanced communication between research communities and stakeholders about the potential and applicability of eDNA methods. It touches on important issues to discuss about the challenges of standardization and how stakeholders can facilitate an improvement in this area in collaboration with the research community.
For researchers in this field, a total alignment in all technical aspects may not be feasible. However, it is not required as long as the collaboration is based on an awareness of strengths and challenges in each country or region and is not hampered by misunderstandings and lack of insight into the circumstances of others. Future projects could benefit from building on this awareness, perform alignments when possible, and initiate collaboration on standardization and implementation based on this commen understanding.
An open and inclusive approach in the research community to standardization of eDNA methods and their application to marine monitoring is essential for international alignment and collaboration. Therefore, it would be highly valuable if research groups working on standardization of eDNA protocols would keep in mind the possibility of others to align to the developed protocol. An inclusive collaborative approach aught to be benficial for all parties, both researcher and stakeholders, and strengthen the position of the entire Nordic region in the application of eDNA methods in marine monitoring.