About
Accelerating the Discovery of Ocean Life
Endorsed by the United Nations Ocean Decade, The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census is the largest global mission to accelerate the discovery of ocean life. Despite covering over 70% of our planet, the ocean remains one of the least explored ecosystems, with only 240,000 marine species officially documented—while millions more remain undiscovered. The Ocean Census is revolutionising species discovery, accelerating the pace at which new marine life is identified and studied.
Launched in April 2023 by The Nippon Foundation and Nekton, the Ocean Census is a global alliance uniting philanthropy, government, business, science, media, and civil society. At its core, the Science Network unites scientists from hundreds of institutions worldwide to lead the discovery of ocean life. All discoveries are registered in the Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform, ensuring that scientists, conservationists, and policymakers worldwide have open access to critical marine biodiversity data.
How We’re Achieving the Mission
The Ocean Census is more than a research programme—it is a bold mission to find life in our universe, right here on our planet.
Core
Activities
Global
Expeditions
The Census conducts expeditions in some of the most under-explored, biologically rich and diverse regions of the ocean to uncover new species, gathering critical data on marine ecosystems and how they are changing.
Species Discovery Workshops
The Ocean Census Species Discovery Workshops bring together taxonomists from around the world to develop capacity and harness advances in high-resolution imaging and genetic sequencing to accelerate species identification and classification.
Open Data
Sharing
All discoveries are registered on the Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform for scientists, conservationists, decision-makers and the public to shape sustainability strategies and ocean management policies.
Empowering
Discovery
Millions of unidentified marine species remain in museum and research collections without the resources for discovery. The Ocean Census Species Discovery Awards fund taxonomists in the Science Network, accelerating species identification and closing the up to 13.5-year gap between discovery and formal description.
The Hub & Team
Coordinating Alliance activities, managing and funding core programmes including expeditions, the Science Network, Species Discovery Workshops and Awards and the Biodiversity Data Platform.
Founding Partners
The Nippon Foundation, the largest non-profit foundation in Japan that was established in 1962 for the purpose of carrying out philanthropic activities in areas that extend from eradicating leprosy, providing free education, food security, and above all, issues that surround the marine environment and maritime safety.
Nekton’s mission is to advance the scientific exploration of the ocean. Nekton undertakes expeditions, applied research, storytelling, and knowledge exchange programmes, co-created and implemented with the Nekton Network—an alliance of over 100 scientific, government, business, philanthropic, and civil society partners. Together, Nekton works to create a more valued ocean, recognised for its essential role in supporting all life on earth. Nekton is a not-profit charitable foundation, operating globally with headquarters in the UK.
Join the census
An alliance of scientists, governments, marine research institutes, museums, philanthropy, technology, media and civil society partners.
