Media Centre
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PRESS RELEASE: Scientists discover over 1,100 new marine species in landmark Ocean Census
World’s largest mission to accelerate species discovery reveals extraordinary new life forms from some of Earth’s most extreme and unexplored environments.
19/05/26
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The Ocean Census Year 3 Impact Report
The Ocean Census drove species discovery forward in year 3 through global expeditions, an expanded science network, and the launch of the Ocean Census NOVA data platform.
15/05/26
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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
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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
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WoRMS announces Top 10 Marine Species of 2025
As for previous years, the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) has again released its annual list of the top-ten marine species described by researchers during the past year to coincide with World Taxonomist Appreciation Day on March 19th.
19/03/26
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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
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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
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Small Creatures, Big Questions: Early-Career Taxonomists at the Isopod Species Discovery Workshop
In a bustling workshop room in Senckenberg am Meer, the air hums with the soft excitement of species discovery. Here, early-career researchers from across the world, as well as mid-career to retired experts, have gathered for a species discovery workshop, united by a shared fascination of isopods.
19/02/26
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Supporting conservation through taxonomy: The Comoros Species Discovery Workshop
Building on the success of our co-founder Nekton’s First Descent: Comoros 2025 mission, this Species Discovery Workshop took place at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) in Makhanda from January 26 to February 13, 2026.
13/02/26
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“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
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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
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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.
05/01/26
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Tis’ the SEAson: 12 Christmas Inspired Marine Species
In the spirit of the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” we’ve gathered twelve remarkable marine species whose colours, shapes, and surprising behaviors capture the wonder of the season.
17/12/25
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67 new auger snail species discovered by Belgian conchologist, Yves Terryn: A milestone in Terebridae taxonomy
The Ocean Census is proud to celebrate the extraordinary achievement of Belgian conchologist Yves Terryn, who has discovered 67 new species of auger snails (family Terebridae) through work supported by the Ocean Census Species Discovery Awards.
15/12/25
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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
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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
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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
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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.
29/10/25
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