Twelve years after her first submersible dive, Dr Verity Nye has returned to Japan to descend once again aboard Shinkai 6500, the iconic submersible operated by JAMSTEC.

The workshop brought together taxonomic specialists from across the world to work on these rare samples, including specimens that may not have been investigated otherwise.

These small, "worm-like" creatures might not have the charismatic appeal of octopuses or dolphins, but they play a crucial role in ocean ecosystems and offer valuable insights into biodiversity and evolution.

In 2024, the Ocean Census achieved exciting milestones in advancing the understanding and discovery of marine biodiversity.

These awards reflect our commitment to empowering taxonomists who are dedicated to identifying and classifying life in our oceans.

The Ocean Census Taxonomy and Event Awards 2024 recognize and support outstanding researchers who are advancing marine taxonomy and accelerating the discovery of new species.

The Ocean Census, the world’s largest initiative to accelerate ocean species discovery, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Taxonomy and Event Awards.