Published: Aug. 30, 2012 at 3:33 PM

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Danish researchers report they can monitor marine biodiversity and fish stocks by using DNA traces in seawater samples to keep track of fish and whales.

The DNA method is superior to traditional methods that use selective and invasive techniques mostly limited to commercial species and restricted to areas with favorable conditions, they said.

"The new DNA-method means that we can keep better track of life beneath the surface of the oceans around the world, and better monitor and protect ocean biodiversity and resources," researcher Philip Francis Thomsen at the University of Copenhagen said.

Seawater contains DNA from animals such as fish and whales that can reveal their presence in the ocean based on water samples of just half a quart, he said.

"We analyzed seawater samples specifically for fish DNA and we were very surprised when the results started to show up on the screen," he said.

"We found DNA from both small and large fish, as well as both common species and rare guests. Cod, herring, eel, plaice, pilchard and many more have all left a DNA trace in the seawater."

The DNA method has an advantage over tradition data collection in that it can be performed virtually anywhere without impacting the local habitat, researchers said. It just requires a sample of water.

The research has been published in the open access international scientific journal PLOS ONE.

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DNA in seawater can track fish and whales