The Nippon Foundation, U.K.’s Nekton Launch Largest Program in History to Discover 100,000 New Marine Species in a Decade (2)

At the event in London on April 27 to launch The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census with the ambitious target of discovering at least 100,000 new marine species in a decade, I told the audience: “Should the ocean be the fundamental element for the coprosperity of humankind, I cannot but wish that this project will be a catalyst to the further advancement of humankind.”

“Such an ambitious project, full of dreams and potential, cannot be accomplished by The Nippon Foundation and the Nekton Foundation alone. I would like to work in collaboration with the ocean research institutes around the world, and all present here today to unravel the mysteries of the ocean together,” I added.

Mr. Mitsuyuki Unno, executive director of The Nippon Foundation, said:

“This new foundation of knowledge can help advance our understanding of fundamental science―oxygen production, carbon cycling, sustainable food production, the evolution of life on Earth and even discoveries of new medicine and biotechnologies.”

Nekton chairman Rupert Grey said at the event: “The discoveries which Ocean Census will make will enable those in government to regulate strictly the manner in which the ocean is protected and its resources managed to best advantage. Enable, but not ensure. That is for nation-states and their governments and international agencies. I pray they are up to the task.”

Ocean Census is coming at the right time. The United Nations Biodiversity Conference held in Montreal in December 2022 set a landmark global agreement to halt and reverse nature loss, including putting 30% of the planet under protection by 2030.

The information generated by Ocean Census will play a key role in helping to ensure that protected areas are optimally positioned to safeguard biodiversity for the future.

Ocean Census will also help to identify how marine ecosystems are responding to climate change, and assess the potential for the ocean to mitigate emissions and alleviate the impacts of climate change, including through nature-based solutions.

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The text of my speech at the event can be seen here.

More information can be found on the Ocean Census website.