A Global Mission

The Ocean Census is a global mission to discover, document and share the diversity of life in our ocean — before it’s lost.

Join the Census

We are an Alliance of scientists, governments, marine research institutes, museums, philanthropy, technology, media and civil society partners.

News

Seabed 2030 and Ocean Census announce partnership uniting efforts to map the seabed and discover ocean life

Ocean Census and Seabed 2030 are combining efforts to map the seabed and discover ocean life.

03/07/23

AKMA3 Cruise Report

AKMA3 was the first expedition that Ocean Census scientists participated in. Expedition Manager, Marine Ecologist Dr Denise Swanborn, reports on what the team found. What was the AKMA3 expedition?  AKMA (which stands for Advancing Knowledge of Methane in the Arctic) began as a project between UiT and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the US […]

19/06/23

Ocean Census Science Network

Ocean Census is bringing together scientists and others involved in species discovery around the world, and we want to hear from you. 

12/06/23

Call Out: Expedition and Science Partners 

Ocean Census is looking for Expedition and Science Partners as part of the mission to discover and protect new species.

31/05/23

International Biodiversity Day

From agreement to action, how Ocean Census is taking on a global challenge to seek and discover ocean life before it's too late.

22/05/23

Akma 3: Mud Volcano Discovery in Barents Sea

Ocean Census scientists, Professor Alex Rogers and Denise Swanborn, and colleagues on the AKMA3 oceanographic expedition, have discovered a rare find; the second ever mud volcano within Norwegian waters, the Borealis Mud Volcano.

09/05/23

PRESS RELEASE: Ocean Census launches globally

Ocean Census launched on 27 April as the largest programme in history to discover life in our ocean. The ambitious target? Finding at least 100,000 new marine species in the first decade. 

27/04/23

PAPER RELEASED: Strategy recommends democratisation of biodiversity science

Scientific paper from contributors led by Professor Alex Rogers outlines strategy underpinning Ocean Census

20/04/23

Excitement and determination at Ocean Census launch

More than 150 ocean advocates came together for the launch of Ocean Census at the Royal Institution, London on 27 April 2023

09/04/23

Expedition
Spotlight

JAMSTEC Shinkai

4 June – 23 June 2025

The JAMSTEC Shinkai Expedition is a 20-day research mission that brings together Japanese Agency of Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) and The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census.

The Ocean Census is a global effort with a bold vision. Together with our partners, we are accelerating the discovery of marine species, building a comprehensive genetic library of ocean life, and influencing ocean policies worldwide.

Join the census

An Alliance of scientists, governments, marine research institutes, museums, philanthropy, technology, media and civil society partners.