News
The Ocean Census funds a further six taxonomists from the Species Discovery Awards 2025
The Ocean Census are supporting an additional 6 taxonomists in their crucial work of discovering new species through the Ocean Census Awards.
12/12/25
No discovery without exploration: Deep-sea sampling across the Pacific reveals three new genera of Typhlotanaidae (Crustacea: Tanaidacea)
An integrative study of deep-sea Typhlotanaidae revealed extensive morphological convergence and hidden genetic diversity. Three new genera and four species are described from Pacific localities, highlighting complex evolutionary relationships and possible trans-Pacific connections among geographically distant deep-sea populations.
11/12/25
Nominations are open for the WoRMS Top Ten Marine Species of 2025
WoRMS Top Ten Marine Species of 2025 is now open for nominations - it's time to submit your species.
11/12/25
Hastula jejuensis sp. nov, a new species of Hastula (Conoidea: Terebridae) from South Korea
A new species of Hastula is described from South Korea, with general shell-morphological features fitting the Hastula strigilata-complex, and is mainly compared with congeners from southern Japan and Indonesia
08/12/25
Exploring sustainable fishing practices in Kenya’s coastal region with participant Scientist Jackline Adhiambo
Participant scientist, Jackline Adhiambo, recently completed an expedition exploring Kenya's coastal region with the FAO. Here she used her background as the invertebrate expert to support the identification of specimens from trawl catches.
20/11/25
Biological surveys reveal unexpectedly high faunal diversity at Nankai Trough methane seeps
A coordinated survey of five methane seeps in Japan’s Nankai Trough documented 80 macro- and megafaunal species, over five times previous records. The findings reveal exceptional, depth-segregated biodiversity and provide crucial baselines for conservation amid growing methane hydrate exploitation.
18/11/25
Records of some deep-sea corals (Antipatharia and Octocorallia) from the Daito Islands, Okinawa, Japan
The first deep-sea corals documented around Okinawa’s Minamidaito and Kitadaito Islands include Callogorgia cf. korema, Pleurocorallium inutile and Acanthopathes undulata. The findings extend known species distributions and highlight the need to protect these deep-sea habitats from anthropogenic impacts.
12/11/25
Three new species of Argathona (Isopoda: Corallanidae) from Indonesian and Malaysian Borneo, with the first records from elasmobranch hosts
A study of Bornean corallanid isopods identified four Argathona species, including three new species. The findings expand known diversity, reveal novel associations with four elasmobranch hosts, and transfer Alcirona grandis to Argathona, highlighting poorly documented isopod biodiversity in the Coral Triangle.
07/11/25
PRESS RELEASE: Carnivorous “Death-Ball” Sponge Among 30 New Deep-Sea Species from the Southern Ocean
Thirty previously unknown deep-sea species, including a carnivorous “death-ball” sponge, have been confirmed from one of the most remote parts of the planet by The Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census and collaborators.
29/10/25Expedition
Spotlight
Mar Del Plata Canyon
23 July – 12 August 2025
2025 Ocean Census Expedition Awardee, Dr. Daniel Lauretta of Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia, joined the Schmidt Ocean Institute as Chief Scientist on it’s Underwater Oases of the Mar Del Plata Canyon expedition.
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.
