News
The Ocean Census Announces 2026 Expedition Awardees
After receiving submissions from around the world, the Ocean Census is proud to announce the four recipients of the 2026 Ocean Census Expedition Awards - a programme designed to accelerate global marine species discovery by directly supporting those on the front lines of ocean science.
16/07/26
The Ocean Census Announces 2026 Species Discovery Awardees
The Ocean Census is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Species Discovery Awards — a celebration of the pioneering scientists and taxonomists driving the discovery and description of life in our ocean.
18/06/26
The prevailing artform of taxonomic illustrations
This World Art Day (15th April), the Ocean Census is highlighting the enduring craft of scientific sketches. In an era dominated by digital documentation, this hand-drawn approach to specimen identification demonstrates that careful, observational practice remains as vital as ever in the discovery and understanding of new species.
15/04/26
More than 110 new species from the Coral Sea Discovered
Marine taxonomists from CSIRO and the Ocean Census have identified more than 110 new fish and invertebrate species from the Coral Sea, with that number likely to exceed 200 as more cryptic species are identified.
01/04/26
Streamlining species discovery: More than 100 new species of isopods discovered in just two weeks
Over two weeks, participants of the Isopod species discovery workshop worked through hundreds of specimens collected from expeditions ranging from Madagascar and New Zealand to the Arctic. The results were astonishing!
18/03/26
PRESS RELEASE: Japan’s Deep Ocean Reveals Dozens of New Species from Landmark 2025 Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census – JAMSTEC Expedition
Following the Ocean Census-JAMSTEC expedition, scientists have confirmed the discovery of 38 new species and identified 28 further potential new species across two of Japan’s most understudied deep-sea regions: the Nankai Trough and the Shichiyo Seamount Chain.
10/03/26
“The Perfect Pair” Symbiotic Relationships of the Deep Blue
They say that two is better than one, and for some marine species, living as a pair means that they are able to survive, adapt, and thrive in complex and often challenging underwater environments.
10/02/26
Deepest gas hydrate cold seep ever discovered during the Ocean Census Arctic Deep expedition
A team of international scientists from UiT (The Arctic University of Norway), have discovered the deepest known gas hydrate cold seep ever, located 3,640 metres below the surface on the Molloy Ridge in the Greenland Sea.
10/01/26
Our Top 12 highlights from the Ocean Census in 2025
In 2025, the Ocean Census achieved exciting milestones in advancing the understanding and discovery of marine biodiversity.
05/01/26Expedition
Spotlight
Marshall Islands
27 July – 17 August 2025
The Ocean Census is joining the Ocean Exploration Trust on it’s Marshall Islands Expedition to explore biodiverse deep-sea habitats.
Join the census
The Ocean Census Alliance unites national and philanthropic marine institutes, museums, and universities, backed by governments, philanthropy, business and civil society partners.
