The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census Discovers 866 New Marine Species After 10 Global Expeditions (1)
Published on April 16, 2025
The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census, a global alliance dedicated to the discovery and protection of marine life, has discovered 866 new marine species, marking a significant step in advancing our understanding of ocean biodiversity.
Using divers, submersibles and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), the new species have been identified from depths of 1 to 4,990 meters, with analysis conducted by collaborating scientists from the Ocean Census Science Network.
The Ocean Census global alliance has conducted 10 global expeditions over 16 months and hosted eight Species Discovery Workshops. The project has also awarded 19 Species Discovery Awards to taxonomists worldwide, fostering collaboration and expertise.
Among the 866 finds, a new species of shark, sea butterfly, mud dragon, bamboo coral, water bear, octocoral, sponge, shrimp, crab, reef fish, squat lobster, pipehorse, limpet, hooded shrimp, sea spiders and brittle stars encompassing dozens of taxonomic groups have now all been registered to the Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform.
The beta version, developed in partnership with the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, is now accessible to researchers and the public alike.
The identification and official registration of a new species can take up to 13.5 years－
meaning some species may go extinct before they are even documented.
To address this, The Nippon Foundation and Nekton, a U.K.-based marine research institute, jointly launched the Ocean Census in April 2023 to transform species discovery with the ambitious target of finding at least 100,000 new marine species in the first decade by accelerating the identification of marine life to close critical knowledge gaps before it is too late.
The project has since evolved into a decentralized network of some 800 scientists participating from over 400 institutions worldwide－a more agile framework that unites diverse skills and resources globally.
Endorsed under the United Nations Ocean Decade, the Ocean Census has formed strategic partnerships with national marine research institutes, museums, universities, philanthropic organizations and technology partners. These alliances amplify research efforts in uncharted ocean regions, filling critical gaps in our understanding of marine life.
Representing the founding partner of the Ocean Census, Executive Director Mitsuyuki Unno of The Nippon Foundation, commented: “The ocean covers 71% of our planet, yet it is said that only around 10% of marine life has been discovered so far, leaving an estimated 1–2 million species still undocumented. These latest findings demonstrate how international collaboration can advance our understanding of ocean biodiversity.”
Mr. Oliver Steeds, director of the Ocean Census, stated: “The past two years have been transformative for the Ocean Census. We’ve pioneered new methods, forged key partnerships, established a global network of participating scientists and overcome the hurdles of a truly global mission. Our estimates suggest that discovering 100,000 new species could require at least U.S.$1 billion. We are laying the groundwork to make large-scale species discovery a reality, but our impact will ultimately be determined by how this knowledge is used to support marine protection, climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation.”
(To be continued)