The mission of the Ocean Census is to accelerate the discovery of ocean life to advance fundamental science, empower conservation and fuel innovation to sustain and advance life on Earth.
The Census is jointly undertaken by the Ocean Census Alliance – uniting national and philanthropic marine institutes, museums and universities, backed by governments, philanthropy, business and civil society partners.
The Ocean Census Alliance is a growing network of scientists, governments, marine institutes, museums, philanthropy, technology, media and civil society partners working together to accelerate species discovery.
The Ocean Census Secretariat coordinates Alliance activities, managing and funding core programmes including expeditions, the Science Network, Species Discovery Workshops and Awards and the Biodiversity Data Platform.
This FAQ section answers common questions about the Ocean Census, our research, expeditions, and the impact of species discovery. If you don’t find what you're looking for, feel free to get in touch.
Be part of the world’s largest effort to discover and document ocean life. At the Ocean Census, we bring together scientists, explorers, technologists, and communicators to accelerate species discovery and expand global biodiversity knowledge.
For general inquiries, partnership opportunities, or media requests, contact us, and a member of our team will get back to you.
Join the Ocean Census and reimagine discovery - fast, open, collaborative, equitable and at scale.
Uniting scientists from over 500 marine institutes to power the Census and scale species discovery – through expeditions, Species Discovery Workshops and Awards and give voice to the Census.
Enabling the Census to operate at scale – leading and participating in expeditions, workshops, unlocking legacy collections, data publishing, advancing related biodiversity research, and policy and public engagement.
Drawing on Ocean Census species data to underpin national and international climate, biodiversity, and development strategies and commitments – whilst helping to scale the Census through directing national research institutes, resources and capacity to participate in and contribute to the global programme.
Underpinning the Census, scaling species discovery in priority areas and advancing science, capacity development, policy implementation, innovation and ocean protection at national and global scales.
From data to sequencing, from marine operations to imaging, from finance to media, businesses deploy their skills, resources and brand power – serving to speed up, scale up and increase the impact of our mission – to discover ocean life.
Turning scientific discoveries from the Census into planetary action – and galvanise national and international programs to protect biodiversity, strengthen capacity and inspire public and policy engagement and action.
The Ocean Census Science Network is a worldwide community of marine biologists, taxonomists, geneticists, ecologists, and conservationists working together to accelerate species discovery and expand our knowledge of ocean life.
Gain access to expeditions, Discovery Workshops, research funding, training, and a global community of scientists working to uncover the ocean’s hidden biodiversity.
Supporting exceptional taxonomists, biodiversity, and community scientists in marine species discovery. These awards focus on advancing research, particularly from legacy collections, to uncover new marine species from specimens stored in museums and research institutes.
Uniting taxonomists, geneticists, marine biologists, and ecologists to identify, classify, and describe new marine species. Using high-resolution imaging, genetic barcoding, and sequencing, these workshops accelerate discovery while sharing knowledge and co-developing scalable techniques across the programme.
Register an ocean species with the Ocean Census to ensure your discovery is documented and contributes to global marine biodiversity records.
The Ocean Census Resources Hub provides access to scientific publications, expedition reports, scientific data handling guidelines, and policy insights.
The Ocean Census Expeditions are unlocking the secrets of marine biodiversity, travelling to some of the most unexplored and biologically rich regions of the ocean.
The 20-day JAMSTEC Shinkai expedition explores Japan's deep-sea ecosystems to discover new marine species, led by JAMSTEC and The Ocean Census team.
Our expeditions are made possible through global partnerships with scientists, research institutions, governments, and funders. Explore all expeditions as we work together to accelerate marine species discovery.
The Ocean Census Expedition Awards provide support to taxonomists, biodiversity and community scientists who wish to take part in an existing expedition onboard a research vessel.
Explore some of the remarkable species uncovered by the Ocean Census Science Network, and access the full database of discoveries through the Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform.
Register an ocean species with the Ocean Census to ensure your discovery is documented and contributes to global marine biodiversity records.
Our hub for the latest discoveries, stories, and insights from the Ocean Census. Explore our latest news, in-depth features, videos, press releases, and exclusive media content showcasing our groundbreaking research and expeditions. Stay informed and inspired as we uncover the unknown depths of our ocean.
Stay up to date with the newest discoveries, breakthroughs, and updates from the world’s largest mission to explore ocean life. Explore press releases, announcements, and key developments as we accelerate the discovery and documentation of marine species worldwide.
Dive into our latest expedition updates and behind-the-scenes insights into how the Ocean Census is accelerating marine species discovery. Explore exclusive footage, expert interviews, and in-depth features showcasing the technology, science, and people driving our mission.
Explore our latest scientific reports, research papers, and expert insights on marine species discovery. Dive into in-depth analyses, expedition findings, and groundbreaking studies that advance our understanding of ocean life.
We invite journalists, filmmakers, and media professionals to cover our discoveries and collaborate on storytelling. Opportunities include exclusive interviews with scientists, joining an expedition, early access to discoveries, high-resolution media assets, and collaboration on science-focused projects.
The mission of the Ocean Census is to accelerate the discovery of ocean life to advance fundamental science, empower conservation and fuel innovation to sustain and advance life on Earth.
The Census is jointly undertaken by the Ocean Census Alliance – uniting national and philanthropic marine institutes, museums and universities, backed by governments, philanthropy, business and civil society partners.
The Ocean Census Alliance is a growing network of scientists, governments, marine institutes, museums, philanthropy, technology, media and civil society partners working together to accelerate species discovery.
The Ocean Census Secretariat coordinates Alliance activities, managing and funding core programmes including expeditions, the Science Network, Species Discovery Workshops and Awards and the Biodiversity Data Platform.
This FAQ section answers common questions about the Ocean Census, our research, expeditions, and the impact of species discovery. If you don’t find what you're looking for, feel free to get in touch.
Be part of the world’s largest effort to discover and document ocean life. At the Ocean Census, we bring together scientists, explorers, technologists, and communicators to accelerate species discovery and expand global biodiversity knowledge.
For general inquiries, partnership opportunities, or media requests, contact us, and a member of our team will get back to you.
Join the Ocean Census and reimagine discovery - fast, open, collaborative, equitable and at scale.
Uniting scientists from over 500 marine institutes to power the Census and scale species discovery – through expeditions, Species Discovery Workshops and Awards and give voice to the Census.
Enabling the Census to operate at scale – leading and participating in expeditions, workshops, unlocking legacy collections, data publishing, advancing related biodiversity research, and policy and public engagement.
Drawing on Ocean Census species data to underpin national and international climate, biodiversity, and development strategies and commitments – whilst helping to scale the Census through directing national research institutes, resources and capacity to participate in and contribute to the global programme.
Underpinning the Census, scaling species discovery in priority areas and advancing science, capacity development, policy implementation, innovation and ocean protection at national and global scales.
From data to sequencing, from marine operations to imaging, from finance to media, businesses deploy their skills, resources and brand power – serving to speed up, scale up and increase the impact of our mission – to discover ocean life.
Turning scientific discoveries from the Census into planetary action – and galvanise national and international programs to protect biodiversity, strengthen capacity and inspire public and policy engagement and action.
The Ocean Census Science Network is a worldwide community of marine biologists, taxonomists, geneticists, ecologists, and conservationists working together to accelerate species discovery and expand our knowledge of ocean life.
Gain access to expeditions, Discovery Workshops, research funding, training, and a global community of scientists working to uncover the ocean’s hidden biodiversity.
Supporting exceptional taxonomists, biodiversity, and community scientists in marine species discovery. These awards focus on advancing research, particularly from legacy collections, to uncover new marine species from specimens stored in museums and research institutes.
Uniting taxonomists, geneticists, marine biologists, and ecologists to identify, classify, and describe new marine species. Using high-resolution imaging, genetic barcoding, and sequencing, these workshops accelerate discovery while sharing knowledge and co-developing scalable techniques across the programme.
Register an ocean species with the Ocean Census to ensure your discovery is documented and contributes to global marine biodiversity records.
The Ocean Census Resources Hub provides access to scientific publications, expedition reports, scientific data handling guidelines, and policy insights.
The Ocean Census Expeditions are unlocking the secrets of marine biodiversity, travelling to some of the most unexplored and biologically rich regions of the ocean.
The 20-day JAMSTEC Shinkai expedition explores Japan's deep-sea ecosystems to discover new marine species, led by JAMSTEC and The Ocean Census team.
Our expeditions are made possible through global partnerships with scientists, research institutions, governments, and funders. Explore all expeditions as we work together to accelerate marine species discovery.
The Ocean Census Expedition Awards provide support to taxonomists, biodiversity and community scientists who wish to take part in an existing expedition onboard a research vessel.
Explore some of the remarkable species uncovered by the Ocean Census Science Network, and access the full database of discoveries through the Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform.
Register an ocean species with the Ocean Census to ensure your discovery is documented and contributes to global marine biodiversity records.
Our hub for the latest discoveries, stories, and insights from the Ocean Census. Explore our latest news, in-depth features, videos, press releases, and exclusive media content showcasing our groundbreaking research and expeditions. Stay informed and inspired as we uncover the unknown depths of our ocean.
Stay up to date with the newest discoveries, breakthroughs, and updates from the world’s largest mission to explore ocean life. Explore press releases, announcements, and key developments as we accelerate the discovery and documentation of marine species worldwide.
Dive into our latest expedition updates and behind-the-scenes insights into how the Ocean Census is accelerating marine species discovery. Explore exclusive footage, expert interviews, and in-depth features showcasing the technology, science, and people driving our mission.
Explore our latest scientific reports, research papers, and expert insights on marine species discovery. Dive into in-depth analyses, expedition findings, and groundbreaking studies that advance our understanding of ocean life.
We invite journalists, filmmakers, and media professionals to cover our discoveries and collaborate on storytelling. Opportunities include exclusive interviews with scientists, joining an expedition, early access to discoveries, high-resolution media assets, and collaboration on science-focused projects.
The Ocean Census is a global mission to discover, document and share the diversity of life in our ocean — before it’s lost.
We are an Alliance of scientists, governments, marine research institutes, museums, philanthropy, technology, media and civil society partners.
The Ocean Census Science Network is a worldwide community of marine biologists, taxonomists, geneticists, ecologists, and conservationists working together to accelerate species discovery and expand our knowledge of ocean life. By combining cutting-edge technology, collaborative research, and open-access data, we are transforming how ocean biodiversity is discovered, classified, and understood.
Join expeditions, analyse new species in Discovery Workshops, and apply for Species Discovery Awards to support taxonomy, genetics, and field research.
Connect with leading marine biologists, conservationists, and geneticists. Participate in conferences, workshops, and networking events to share discoveries.
Utilise open-source biodiversity data, genetic sequencing, and imaging tools. Stay informed with specialist training and research updates in taxonomy and species identification.
Co-developing, leading and / or participating in Ocean Census Expeditions.
Hosting or participating in Workshops, harnessing high resolution imaging, genetic sequencing to accelerate species identification
Apply for funding to participate in expeditions, advance species discovery from legacy collections and promote discoveries
All data from the Census is published open access on the Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform to inform and advance biodiversity conservation
Scientists are invited to register all new species discovered with the Census and contribute to the global effort.
Ocean Census Scientist Distribution
1000+ MEMBERS
500+ INSTITUTIONS
77 COUNTRIES
See where in the world our science network members are based.
The Science Network is already making a significant impact in global marine research. Since 2023, over 800 new species have been identified through collaborative taxonomy efforts. Additionally, 8 Discovery Workshops have been hosted in partnership with leading institutions, and 93 scientists have been funded to participate in expeditions and research projects.
“Despite this renaissance in shark taxonomy, support for new species descriptions is lacking. Support from the Ocean Census Species Discovery Award will be crucial to advancing the descriptions of new shark species before they vanish!”
The Ocean Census Species Discovery Awards provide direct funding to taxonomists and marine researchers to support species discovery. These awards aim to:
An Alliance of scientists, governments, marine research institutes, museums, philanthropy, technology, media and civil society partners.
