Where more than 800 scientists from more than 400 institutions are involved worldwide, Ocean census has started with ten expeditions and countless workshops – so far – with a single goal: discovering new species in the ‘world’s world’s largest border.
Last week the organization announced that it had discovered 866 new species that had further promoted our understanding of marine biodiversity. One of the finds is a newly identified guitar shark, which belongs to a distinctive group of animals that share characteristics of both sharks and rays.
Another revelation is the Pygmy Pipehorse, which was found off the coast of Africa – the first time that the genus has been seen outside the cool waters of New – Zealand. Ocean census says:
These reducing pipes are masters of camouflage, remain elusive while they inhabit coral reefs and seamlessly go into their environment. Many members of the family Syngnathidae– which also includes seahorses, seadragons and pipe fish – are classified as threatened on the IUCN RED LIST Due to habitat destruction, by -catch and targeted fishing.
While 866 is a remarkable number of discoveries, Ocean Census cut his work out. “The identification and official registration of a new species can take up to 13 and a half years-it means that some species can die out before they are even documented,” says a statement.
To tackle this delay and to accelerate the identification, the initiative was jointly launched in 2023 by the Nippon Foundation and Nekton with a mission to “close critical knowledge before it is too late”.
Oceans cover more than 70 percent of the surface of our planet, but these huge water bodies remain largely unexplored. “Of the estimated one to two million marine species on earth, only 240,000 are known in science,” says Ocean Census.
Currently on a 35-day expedition to the South Sandwich Islands, the project is joining four extra programs, including Schmidt Ocean Institute, to look for new types of the Volcanic Archipelago of the South Atlantic Ocean. Find more about Ocean Census’s website.
