Unlocking potential new species from the South Atlantic & Southern Ocean: The SSI2 Chile Margin Species Discovery Workshop
In September 2026, a group of global marine taxonomists will come together in Punta Arenas, Chile for the Schmidt Ocean Institute SSI2 Chile Margin Species Discovery Workshop. Local experts and invited international participants will be drawing on samples from a series of pioneering scientific expeditions: South Sandwich Islands (2025), Chile Margin (2024) and the Bellingshausen Sea (2025).
08/09/26
New Life in Japan’s Deep Sea: Dr Chong Chen’s Discoveries from the Ocean Census–JAMSTEC Expedition
Following the Shinkai JAMSTEC expedition, taxonomists from Japan and around the world gathered at JAMSTEC headquarters in Yokosuka in October 2025 for a dedicated Species Discovery Workshop. Among the expedition's most recent scientific outcomes are a series of studies led by Dr Chong Chen, Senior Scientist with Tenure at JAMSTEC.
05/08/26
Revealing the Ocean Life That Inspired a Nation: The Argentina Species Discovery Workshop
In July 2026, taxonomic experts will gather in Buenos Aires, Argentina for the Ocean Census Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) Argentina Species Discovery Workshop. Continuing the legacy of the SOI Underwater Oases of the Mar del Plata Canyon expedition (2025), the workshop is the next stage in highlighting the marine biodiversity of this underexplored South Atlantic ecosystem.
13/07/26
Small Creatures, Big Questions: Early-Career Taxonomists at the Isopod Species Discovery Workshop
In a bustling workshop room in Senckenberg am Meer, the air hums with the soft excitement of species discovery. Here, early-career researchers from across the world, as well as mid-career to retired experts, have gathered for a species discovery workshop, united by a shared fascination of isopods.
19/02/26
Supporting conservation through taxonomy: The Comoros Species Discovery Workshop
Building on the success of our co-founder Nekton’s First Descent: Comoros 2025 mission, this Species Discovery Workshop took place at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) in Makhanda from January 26 to February 13, 2026.
13/02/26
Bound by Sediment, Held by Family | Exploring The Fascinating World of Tanaidacea with Dr. Marta Gellert
Dr. Marta Gellert is coordinating the AccTaS project, a major international effort to advance knowledge of Tanaidacea, a diverse but under-studied order of small benthic crustaceans.
02/10/25
Discovering the Hidden Biodiversity of the Southern Ocean
The SSI Southern Ocean Species Discovery Workshop will bring an international team of taxonomists to Chile to analyse samples from two Ocean Census expeditions to Antarctica and the South Sandwich Islands
04/08/25
Unearthing Marine Worms | Updates from Dr. Laetitia Gunton at the International Workshop on Polychaetes
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.
06/02/25
Investigating Maldivian & Seychellois Samples at the Indian Ocean Species Discovery Workshop
The Indian Ocean Species Discovery Workshop (2025) unites global marine scientists to analyse sponges and octocorals from Nekton mission samples.
29/01/25Join the census
The Ocean Census Alliance unites national and philanthropic marine institutes, museums, and universities, backed by governments, philanthropy, business and civil society partners.
