When was the first successful use of eDNA to detect marine species in seawater?

Environmental DNA, or eDNA, began proving useful for marine species detection in the early 2000s. Scientists found that organisms leave behind genetic traces in seawater through skin cells, mucus, waste, and other material. By collecting and analyzing water samples, researchers could detect species without seeing or capturing them directly. This was especially valuable for rare, elusive, or deep-water animals. eDNA has become one of the most important modern tools in marine biodiversity surveys.