After two years of collaborative efforts by scientists, governments, museums, and other participants in the Ocean Census, a global alliance aimed at accelerating the discovery of marine life, over 800 marine species were newly identified. New species of various marine creatures such as sharks, sea butterflies, mud dragons, bamboo corals, water bears, octocorals, and shrimps were among the findings documented in a directory. This achievement followed 10 global expeditions and eight Species Discovery Workshops conducted by the alliance.
Director of the Ocean Census, Oliver Steeds, expressed that the past two years had been transformative for the alliance, highlighting the development of new methods, key partnerships, a global network of participating scientists, and overcoming challenges of a global mission.
Despite oceans covering a significant portion of the Earth, efforts to protect marine biodiversity, manage conservation, and establish marine protected areas in the high seas have been limited. In 2023, United Nations members agreed on a unified treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas, with over 100 nations committing to safeguarding 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
Noting that only around 10% of marine life has been discovered, Dr. Michelle Taylor, principal investigator for Ocean Census, emphasized the importance of further exploration. The alliance was founded by the Nippon Foundation and Nekton in April 2023, with about 400 institutions participating in its activities and 93 scientists funded to expedite species identification and registration processes.
The recent expeditions utilized divers, submersibles, and deep-sea robots up to 5000 meters below the sea surface to discover new species, which were subsequently analyzed and confirmed in numerous global laboratories. Some of the species discovered include the Guitar Shark, Turridrupa sp Gastropod, and Sea Star: Tylaster sp, each with unique characteristics and habitats.
Overall, the Ocean Census alliance has made significant strides in advancing marine life discovery and conservation efforts, underscoring the importance of continued exploration and protection of our oceans.
Hartley / The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census
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