The largest global mission to
discover ocean life
Discover Life
The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census is a global alliance dedicated to accelerating the discovery of ocean life.
Discovered of Ocean Life
Despite covering over 70% of our planet, the ocean remains largely unexplored. Of the estimated 1-2 million marine species on Earth, only 240,000 are known to science.
Endorsed by
Why
it really
matters
We often look to the stars in search of new life, yet our ocean remains Earth’s great frontier, teeming with species still unknown to science. As a renewed sense of wonder fuels a new space race, it is just as critical that we turn our attention to the vast expanses of our blue planet.
Every new discovery adds a piece to the puzzle of ocean biodiversity, revealing how marine life is evolving and how it is being shaped by a changing planet. These insights provide essential baseline data to protect fragile ecosystems, conserve vulnerable species, and strengthen the resilience of the ocean.
The ocean is an interconnected web of life. Only by building a more complete picture of its biodiversity, and understanding the potential of its genetic blueprint, can we inform the policies and decisions that will shape its future.
Join the census
The Ocean Census is undertaken by an international alliance of governments, marine institutes, museums, philanthropy, technology, media and civil society partners. At the heart of the Census is the Science Network uniting scientists from institutes worldwide to lead the discovery of ocean life. No matter your background, there’s a way to get involved.
Join science network
Participate in expeditions and workshop, and apply for funding through Awards
SQUAT LOBSTER
407m Depth
Found
On Expedition: Schmidt Ocean Institute Unexplored Seamounts of the Salas y Gómez Ridge
Interesting fact
Discovered at a depth of 407m on the Salas & Gómez Ridge (on Pukao seamount and Motu Motiro Hiva islet) during a Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI)-Center for Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands (ESMOI) expedition, this newly identified squat lobster (Galathea sp.) represents the first recorded occurrence of the genus Galathea in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, near Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Squat lobsters are an ecologically significant group of crustaceans, often found sheltering within deep-sea coral habitats or crawling along the rocky slopes of seamounts. Their presence in this region provides new insights into the biodiversity of unexplored underwater mountain chains.
GUITAR SHARK
Approx. 200m depth
Found
Tanzania
Interesting fact
Discovered along the coasts of Mozambique and Tanzania, this newly identified guitar shark belongs to a distinctive group of animals that share characteristics of both sharks and rays. It is only the 38th known species of its kind. The guitar shark family (Rhinobatidae) is among the top 10 most threatened vertebrate groups, with two-thirds of its species classified as Threatened. As apex predators, sharks and rays play a critical role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems, and their decline can significantly disrupt the ocean’s complex food web.
Expedition
Spotlight
South Sandwich Islands
20 February – 26 March 2025
The Ocean Census GoSouth: Searching for New Species in the South Sandwich Islands is a 35-day research mission that brings together Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI), The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census, GoSouth (University of Plymouth, British Antarctic Survey, and GEOMAR), and the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI).
Latest
News
PRESS RELEASE: The Ocean Census Discovers Over 800 New Marine Species
The largest global mission to discover ocean life reveals over 800 newly discovered marine species.
10/03/25
Fire and Ice: Why Explore the Antarctic Waters Around the South Sandwich Islands?
In one of the most isolated regions on Earth, the Antarctic waters of the South Sandwich Islands’ are among the ecosystems that have been least studied globally.
25/02/25
9 Incredible Arctic Deep Sea Animals Found on the Ocean Census 2024 Expedition
The enigmatic depths of the Arctic deep sea, are a realm where extraordinary animals have evolved to survive one of the planet’s harshest environments.
30/08/24Follow us
Join the census
An alliance of scientists, governments, marine research institutes, museums, philanthropy, technology, media and civil society partners.
