Expedition into the Unseen
Beneath South Florida’s coastal waves dwells a cryptic intelligence.
Camouflaged in coral crevices and shifting sands, the common octopus evades the human eye—but not molecular science. A new kind of expedition is underway, one that follows traces in the water rather than tracks in the sand.
Mission
Project InkLink uses seawater—and eDNA tech—to uncover the secrets of one of the ocean’s most elusive minds.
Through the use of environmental DNA (eDNA), we’re moving beyond traditional—and lethal—survey methods to non-invasive monitoring of octopus populations. By working with citizen scientist freedivers and snorkelers, we bridge the gap between research and public engagement, turning curiosity into action. Our goal: to map the hidden lives of octopuses, track populations, and arm policy makers with the data they need to protect these animals before it’s too late.
About Project InkLink
The Problem
We don't know which species we're killing—or how many remain.
Globally, over 350,000 tonnes of octopuses are caught every year—mostly as bycatch from trawling operations chasing depleted finfish. Of this catch, fisheries statistics recognize only four species (usually misidentifying them or simply broadly categorizing them as “cephalopod)” while the FAO estimates that at least 100 species are caught.
For nearly all of the 200+ species in the octopus family, we don’t even have baseline population data.
Their elusive, shape-shifting nature makes them notoriously difficult to count. Project InkLink uses environmental DNA, collected by citizen scientist snorkelers and freedivers, to detect and estimate octopus abundance non-invasively, offering a scalable path toward informed conservation.
Our Approach
- Baseline Data Snapshot on Octopus Populations: Establish foundational data on the abundance of Octopus americanus.
- Public Engagement in Marine Research: Empower local communities, divers, and ocean enthusiasts to contribute to scientific discovery.
- Conservation and Policy Impact: Provide critical data to inform sustainable fisheries management and marine conservation policies.
- Advancement in eDNA Techniques: Develop and refine non-invasive monitoring methods for tracking marine biodiversity.
Community
Community
Community
This project is about more than data—it’s about participation.
By involving snorkelers and freedivers in sample collection, we turn ocean lovers into contributors.
Their efforts help document octopus populations and support advocacy for stronger reef protections, like a proposed Marine Protected Area in Miami Beach.
CEAP
Community
Community
This project is supported by the NYU Center for Environmental and Animal Protection, an endowed research center advancing policy-relevant research at the intersection of environmental and animal protection.
Beyond
Community
Beyond
Project InkLink is not only about octopuses.
It is about how we choose to observe a world that rarely shows itself. By using eDNA, we find traces instead of taking lives.
This quiet method may help us shift from extraction to understanding—before more of the ocean fades beyond recognition.