June 20, 2025
The latest field mission of the LIFE MareNatura documentary took the production team to Crete, where they joined a pioneering scientific expedition focused on environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques—an innovative method for uncovering hidden marine biodiversity.
In Heraklion, the production team met with project coordinator dr. Panagiotis Kasapidis from the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) and his team. Together, they embarked on a research trip from Sfakia to Gavdos to collect seawater samples for eDNA analysis. This non-invasive method allows scientists to detect traces of marine life—such as elusive marine mammals—by analyzing the genetic material organisms leave behind in their environment.
Back in the lab, Dr. Dimitris Tsaparis welcomed the documentary crew and provided a behind-the-scenes look at the DNA extraction and analysis process. Through this cutting-edge work, species that are rarely seen can be identified and studied, offering a deeper understanding of the region’s marine ecosystem.
This scientific approach is at the heart of LIFE MareNatura’s mission—providing new tools and knowledge that strengthen conservation strategies and ensure that marine protection efforts are informed, forward-thinking, and rooted in science.
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