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.

From deep-sea expeditions to DNA sequencing and scientific publishing, women are at the forefront of uncovering the ocean's hidden biodiversity.

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.

The Indian Ocean Species Discovery Workshop (2025) unites global marine scientists to analyse sponges and octocorals from Nekton mission samples.

Highlighting the work of Dr Belén Arias, the Science Manager for Species Discovery & Sequencing at the Ocean Census

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.

This species discovery workshop will allow us to uncover potential new species from the Nazca Ridge expedition.

In the icy depths of the Arctic Ocean lies a world that remains largely unknown to science, a hidden realm brimming with unique marine life and untapped biodiversity.