The University of Montpellier launches the ADNeIA project to strengthen marine biodiversity monitoring

[Press release] - Published on February 18, 2026 in Press Room, Scientific Appeal

The University of Montpellier announces the official launch of the ADNeIA project (ADNe solutions optimized by artificial intelligence) for monitoring marine biodiversity, scientifically led by David Mouillot, Laure Velez, and Stéphanie Manel and coordinated by the MARBEC unit and the company Spygen. The ADNeIA project, scheduled to begin operations on March 15, 2026, aims to develop new tools for monitoring marine biodiversity based on the analysis of environmental DNA using artificial intelligence, in order to better understand, protect, and manage marine ecosystems.

Supported by the ANR as part of the "Industrial Chair 2025" call for projects, this research program has received total funding of €1.28 million over 48 months. The project is funded to the tune of €640,991.25 by the ANR, with an equivalent contribution from partner company Spygen.

ADNeIA: an innovative research project to better observe and understand marine ecosystems

Faced with increasing pressure on marine environments from human activities and climate change, improving our understanding of biodiversity is now a major challenge. Traditional observation methods, such as diving counts, net catches, or underwater camera videos, remain restrictive, even destructive, and limited in their ability to cover large areas over the long term for many species.

The ADNeIA project offers an innovative approach based on combining environmental DNA and artificial intelligence to better detect marine species without impacting ecosystems. By analyzing the biological traces left by organisms in the water, in the form of environmental DNA or eDNA, and by using automated data processing tools, the project will make it possible to better inventory marine biodiversity, understand its ecological dynamics, and model its evolution. To this end, ADNeIA plans to develop autonomous underwater robots capable of collecting eDNA samples, measuring environmental parameters, and mapping the seabed, including in hard-to-reach areas such as deep canyons and wind farm sites. The project also involves the creation of an enriched database on marine fauna, particularly crustaceans, which are still poorly documented, as well as the development of advanced analysis tools and a digital visualization platform for public and private stakeholders.

Led by the University of Montpellier (MARBEC, CEFE) in partnership with Spygen, ADNeIA is part of a dynamic collaboration between academic research and industrial innovation, promoting the transfer of knowledge to operational applications. These same partners were already winners of an ANR LabCom grant in 2020 (DiagADNe), which served as a springboard for setting up this Industrial Chair project.

Tools for protecting biodiversity and environmental decision-making

Through the development of integrated technological solutions, the ADNeIA project aims primarily to strengthen the protection of marine environments by enabling more detailed, continuous, and non-intrusive monitoring of ecosystems. The data produced will contribute to the identification of sensitive areas and the monitoring of conservation strategies such as the establishment of marine protected areas. The project also aims to improve the assessment of the impact of human activities, particularly wind farms and ports, on biodiversity. By providing relevant ecological indicators, ADNeIA will contribute to a better consideration of environmental issues in coastal ecosystem management policies.

Through its digital platform, ADNeIA will provide communities, natural area managers, and businesses with decision-making tools that enable them to monitor biodiversity dynamics, produce reports that comply with regulatory requirements, and guide their environmental responsibility actions.

Finally, by combining biology, robotics, and artificial intelligence, the project will contribute to the development of new scientific approaches in marine ecology and strengthen the influence of French research in the field of environmental sciences.

Several expeditions will be conducted starting in the summer of 2026, and the media are welcome to accompany us.