The Island Cruising Pacific Rally has always been about adventure and community, but this year it’s making waves for another reason: scientific discovery. Rally participants who volunteered for the Citizens of the Sea project gathered at Musket Cove in September to learn more about the environmental DNA (eDNA) they collected on their journey through the Pacific.
Citizens of the Sea is a groundbreaking conservation initiative that empowers sailors to map marine biodiversity using cutting-edge technology. Through eDNA sequencing, sailors can identify thousands of species from just a cup of seawater, create 3D models of coral reefs using their mobile phones, and gather critical environmental data from their boat instruments. Co-founded by the Cawthron Institute and New Zealand Geographic, the charity recruited sailors in the 2024 Island Cruising Pacific Rally to help monitor the health of the Pacific Ocean.
In partnership with global genomics leader Illumina, samples collected by the sailors are being analysed to provide unprecedented insights into the biodiversity of the Pacific and the impacts of climate change.
“We’re empowering Pacific Rally sailors to become citizen scientists,” says Erin Bomati, Field Operations Lead for Citizens of the Sea. “By equipping them with digital tools and state-of-the-art devices, they can collect eDNA samples during their voyages, all while sailing at speeds of up to 12 knots.”
Using Cawthron’s innovative ‘TorpeDNA’ sampling devices, rally boats towed these tools along offshore passages, gathering critical data. This project collaborates with leading scientists and conservation groups in each island nation the rally visits.
The collected samples are analysed using Illumina’s next-generation sequencing technology, a breakthrough in marine biodiversity assessment. This process is not only faster but significantly more comprehensive than traditional physical surveys, which are costly and time-consuming.
“Sampling the ocean at scale has always been a challenge for science. The costs are prohibitive, and the logistics are difficult,” explains James Frankham, publisher of New Zealand Geographic. “But Citizens of the Sea has developed sophisticated tools that are easy for sailors to use. This separates the process of collecting data from the complex task of analysing it.”
Dr Xavier Pochon, Citizens of the Sea’s Founding Scientist from the Cawthron Institute, highlights that eDNA—biological material left behind by marine species—holds the key to understanding ocean ecosystems. “If we can gather hundreds of water samples across large areas, we can quickly isolate the eDNA and identify which species are present, tracking how their distribution shifts over time due to climate change.”
With over 10,000 vessels traversing the world’s oceans at any given time, Citizens of the Sea sees a huge untapped resource in sailors—whether cruisers, racers, or commercial vessels—to help map and monitor ocean health. “The Pacific Rally is just the starting point,” says Pochon. “We hope to expand this initiative globally to provide a new level of data for scientists, conservationists, and policymakers.”
Conference underway. Photo Credit: Viki Moore
Illumina’s Regional Manager, Evgeny Glazov, underscores the importance of this collaboration. “Before eDNA and metabarcoding methods, gathering this kind of data would have been extremely laborious and costly. We’re proud to partner with Island Cruising and Citizens of the Sea, supporting efforts that provide critical data to help manage and protect our oceans in a changing climate.”
In addition to eDNA collection, rally boats are equipped with technology to model coral reef diversity and health through mobile photogrammetry apps, and they continuously log environmental data from their onboard networks. This combination of science and sailing is a unique way for sailors to contribute to ocean conservation while exploring the world’s most beautiful waters.
The data gathered during this project will be made publicly accessible through the Citizens of the Sea website in late 2024, giving researchers and the public valuable insights into the state of the Pacific Ocean’s ecosystems.
If you’re interested in combining sailing with science, join the 2025 Island Cruising Pacific Rally and become part of this exciting initiative. More information on how to get involved can be found at https://www.islandcruising.nz.
