About
- Our Mission
  Our Mission
  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.
- How the Census Works
  How the Census Works
  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 Alliance
  The Alliance
  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.
- Team
  The Team
  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.
- FAQs
  FAQs
  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.
- Careers
  Careers
  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.
- Contact
  Contact
  For general inquiries, partnership opportunities, or media requests, contact us, and a member of our team will get back to you.
Join the Census
- Joining the Census
  Join the Census
  Join the Ocean Census and reimagine discovery - fast, open, collaborative, equitable and at scale.
- Scientists
  Scientists
  Uniting scientists from over 580+ marine institutes to power the Census and scale species discovery – through expeditions, Species Discovery Workshops and Awards and give voice to the Census.
- Research Institutes
  Research Institutes
  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.
- Government & Policy Makers
  Government & Policy Makers
  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.
- Philanthropy & Funders
  Philanthropy & Funders
  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.
- Business & Enterprise
  Business & Enterprise
  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.
- NGOs & Civil Society
  NGOs & Civil Society
  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.
Science Network
- The Network
  Science Network
  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.
- Join the Network
  Join the Network
  Gain access to expeditions, Discovery Workshops, research funding, training, and a global community of scientists working to uncover the ocean’s hidden biodiversity.
- Species Discovery Awards
  Species Discovery Awards
  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.
- Workshops
  Workshops
  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 Discovery
  Register Your Discovery
  Register an ocean species with the Ocean Census to ensure your discovery is documented and contributes to global marine biodiversity records.
- Resources
  Resources
  The Ocean Census Resources Hub provides access to scientific publications, expedition reports, scientific data handling guidelines, and policy insights.
Expeditions
- About Expeditions
  Expeditions
  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.
- Expeditions Archive
  Expeditions Archive
  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.
- Expedition Awards
  Expedition Awards
  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.
- Latest Expedition
Discoveries
- Discovery Spotlight
  Discovery Spotlight
  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 Your Discovery
  Register Your Discovery
  Register an ocean species with the Ocean Census to ensure your discovery is documented and contributes to global marine biodiversity records.
- Biodiversity Data Platform
News & Media
- Media Centre
  Media Centre
  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.
- News
  News
  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.
- Features
  Features
  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 articles showcasing the technology, science, and people driving our mission.
- Videos
  Videos
  Join us beneath the surface through compelling videos that capture the heart of our mission. From expedition highlights to expert interviews, dive into the stories that power Ocean Census—where discovery meets innovation.
- Publications
  Publications
  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.
- Press
  Press
  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.

Search

About
- Our Mission
  Our Mission
  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.
- How the Census Works
  How the Census Works
  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 Alliance
  The Alliance
  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.
- Team
  The Team
  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.
- FAQs
  FAQs
  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.
- Careers
  Careers
  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.
- Contact
  Contact
  For general inquiries, partnership opportunities, or media requests, contact us, and a member of our team will get back to you.
Join the Census
- Joining the Census
  Join the Census
  Join the Ocean Census and reimagine discovery - fast, open, collaborative, equitable and at scale.
- Scientists
  Scientists
  Uniting scientists from over 580+ marine institutes to power the Census and scale species discovery – through expeditions, Species Discovery Workshops and Awards and give voice to the Census.
- Research Institutes
  Research Institutes
  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.
- Government & Policy Makers
  Government & Policy Makers
  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.
- Philanthropy & Funders
  Philanthropy & Funders
  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.
- Business & Enterprise
  Business & Enterprise
  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.
- NGOs & Civil Society
  NGOs & Civil Society
  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.
Science Network
- The Network
  Science Network
  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.
- Join the Network
  Join the Network
  Gain access to expeditions, Discovery Workshops, research funding, training, and a global community of scientists working to uncover the ocean’s hidden biodiversity.
- Species Discovery Awards
  Species Discovery Awards
  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.
- Workshops
  Workshops
  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 Discovery
  Register Your Discovery
  Register an ocean species with the Ocean Census to ensure your discovery is documented and contributes to global marine biodiversity records.
- Resources
  Resources
  The Ocean Census Resources Hub provides access to scientific publications, expedition reports, scientific data handling guidelines, and policy insights.
Expeditions
- About Expeditions
  Expeditions
  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.
- Expeditions Archive
  Expeditions Archive
  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.
- Expedition Awards
  Expedition Awards
  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.
- Latest Expedition
Discoveries
- Discovery Spotlight
  Discovery Spotlight
  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 Your Discovery
  Register Your Discovery
  Register an ocean species with the Ocean Census to ensure your discovery is documented and contributes to global marine biodiversity records.
- Biodiversity Data Platform
News & Media
- Media Centre
  Media Centre
  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.
- News
  News
  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.
- Features
  Features
  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 articles showcasing the technology, science, and people driving our mission.
- Videos
  Videos
  Join us beneath the surface through compelling videos that capture the heart of our mission. From expedition highlights to expert interviews, dive into the stories that power Ocean Census—where discovery meets innovation.
- Publications
  Publications
  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.
- Press
  Press
  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.

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.

Join the Network Register Species Join the Alliance

PRESS RELEASE: Carnivorous “Death-Ball” Sponge Among 30 New Deep-Sea Species from the Southern Ocean

29th October 2025 | maya

Oliver Steeds, OBE

Director

Oliver is the serving Director of the Ocean Census, and founder and Chief Executive of Nekton (founding partner of the Census). In the UK Queen’s Birthday Honours 2022, Oliver was recognised with an OBE for services to research and conservation of the marine
environment.

Prior to founding Nekton in 2016, Oliver was a broadcast journalist, reporting for Channel 4, ABC, NBC, Al Jazeera, Newsweek and others and also hosting major series for Discovery Channels globally. His investigations in 50+ countries exposed terrorism, human rights abuses, environmental crimes, and global corporate and political corruption.

Recognition of Oliver’s work includes the 2025 Captain Don Walsh Award for Ocean Exploration, along with awards from Royal Television Society, IBC (Broadcast Innovation) the US Livingstone Award for Young Journalists, Asian TV (Current Affairs), and BETT (Educational Resource). Oliver is featured in ‘Faces of Exploration: 50 Extraordinary Pioneers’ alongside Buzz Aldrin, Sylvia Earle and Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

Oliver serves on the Council (Trustee) of The Royal Geographical Society, an Explorer-in-Residence at Kensington (Founding Partner of Nekton), and advises numerous science, media and civil society organisations.

LinkedIn

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.

Join Science Network Register New Species Join the Alliance

Follow our progress