A Global Mission

The mission of the Ocean Census is to accelerate the discovery of ocean life to advance fundamental science, empower conservation, and fuel innovation for the future of our planet.

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.

Crew members in brightly colored safety gear guide a deep-sea submersible being lowered into the ocean from a research vessel during a scientific operation. The submersible is suspended mid-air by a large deployment crane as it prepares to descend to a designated dive site in the Nankai Trough, a geologically active trench off Japan’s coast. The operation is part of a deep-sea expedition focused on exploring and documenting marine biodiversity in extreme ocean environments.

JAMSTEC Shinkai Expedition – Dive Site: Nankai Trough

The Nankai Trough, stretching along the southeastern coast of Japan, is one of the most geologically active and biologically important deep-sea regions in the western Pacific.

17/06/25
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.