Videos

Goal is to better understand the health of one of the world's most endangered species. Boasting high numbers of sightings, the Canary Islands are regarded as a stronghold for Angel Shark.

From the deepest at 3,700m, to 230m in Tenerife, yesterday Ocean Census Science Director Professor Alex Rogers celebrated his 50th submersible dive.

The ongoing Ocean Census Macaronesia Expedition off the coast of Tenerife assembles a world-class coalition of expertise and is being co-delivered in partnership with the Jesús Ortea Research Group, Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Tenerife (MUNA), Universidad de La Laguna (ECOMAR), and Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO).

Check out stunning footage of ocean explorers making unexpected finds during the ongoing Ocean Census Macaronesia Expedition off the coast of Tenerife. Several potentially new ocean species, not previously known to science, have been found and are now being studied by regional experts.

Ocean Census scientists explain why we must act now to preserve ocean life. In the midst of pivotal discussions at COP28, the Ocean Census Macaronesia Expedition welcomed  Counsellor Mariano H. Zapata, Ecological Transition and Energy, Government of the Canary Islands, to mission headquarters at Radazul Marina, Tenerife.

Professor Alex Rogers, Science Director for Ocean Census, led the second lecture in Senckenberg's Distinguished Lecture Series in June. He explored the biodiversity crisis and gave an overview of Ocean Census and how the project intends to combat this crisis through advancements in taxonomic techniques.

Listen to our team explain why species discovery is so critical to ocean conservation. Biodiversity is critical to our survival. Yet, even though ocean makes up more than 80% of habitat space on our planet, scientists believe little more than 10% of what lives in our seas has been found.

Hear Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, address an invited audience from across the ocean community. And listen to scientists who will lead the alliance, which aims to change our understanding of what lives in our ocean. 

Science Journalist David Shukman talks to the people behind Ocean Census. Find out more about the rapid technological evolutions that are game changers underpinning the programme's success. Plus a look at the history of species description or taxonomy, the vitally important process of recording new species, and how it has changed.