The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census, one of the most significant global collaborations to accelerate the discovery of marine life, has announced a major milestone – the identification of 866 new marine species. UNEP-WCMC has played a key role in this effort by developing the Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform, which records and provides access to these remarkable discoveries.

Covering 71 per cent of the planet, the ocean is fundamental to life on Earth. Its vast biodiversity helps regulate the climate and supports the health, livelihoods and food security of millions of people. Yet much of the ocean remains unexplored, with only around 10 per cent of marine species having been documented thus far. Unlocking its mysteries is integral to understanding how to protect biodiversity, build climate resilience and secure a sustainable future. However, officially identifying a new species can take more than a decade – a delay that has real consequences. Without timely recognition and accessible scientific knowledge, it becomes harder to understand species’ roles in ecosystems and to make informed conservation and management decisions.

To accelerate the identification of marine life and address this critical knowledge gap, The Nippon Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to social innovation, and UK-based marine science and conservation charity Nekton launched the Ocean Census in April 2023. With the ambitious goal of identifying 100,000 new species within the next decade, the project, endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade, brings together a global network of national marine research institutes, museums, universities, philanthropic organizations and technology partners.

Essential data insights

A significant challenge in marine species discovery lies not only in identifying new species but in ensuring that this knowledge is rapidly accessible to scientists, conservationists and decision makers. To bridge this gap, the Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform has now been launched, initially in beta version. Developed by experts within UNEP-WCMC’s Digital Transformation team, this user-friendly platform catalogues species discoveries in near real-time, making critical biodiversity data openly available. By integrating with the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), a globally recognized taxonomic database, the platform provides a reliable and comprehensive system for classifying new marine species, helping to inform conservation priorities and evidence-based decision-making.

The Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform gives access to data that will offer insights into some of the longstanding mysteries of the deep ocean, inform exciting future research and provide vital evidence to support conservation efforts. Through working in partnership with the Ocean Census and the hundreds of scientists who are part of the programme, we are able to record species from some of the world’s least visited waters.

Dr Violeta Muñoz-Fuentes, Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform Lead at UNEP-WCMC

Accelerating species discovery

Scientists frequently encounter species that are new to science, but a species is only officially recognised once it has been formally described and published in a scientific journal. As a result, many species remain undocumented before they can be studied, limiting our ability to understand and protect them.

To accelerate this process, the Ocean Census workflow differentiates between ‘Species Described’ – those formally classified through the traditional scientific process – and ‘Species Discovered’ – those identified as likely new based on expert opinion and, where possible, DNA sequence data. This distinction allows for much faster identification, enabling scientists to document potential new species in near real-time. By leveraging the Ocean Census Biodiversity Data Platform, discoveries can be shared rapidly, helping to close critical knowledge gaps and support timely conservation action.

Too many species remain in limbo for years because the process of formally describing them is too slow. We urgently need to change that and adding the Species Discovery step gives us a way to rapidly start the process. Every new species – whether a shark or a sponge – deepens our understanding of marine ecosystems and the benefits they provide for the planet.

Professor Lucy Woodall, Head of Science at Ocean Census

Using divers, submersibles and remotely operated vehicles, new species have been identified from depths of 1 to 4,990 metres, with analysis conducted by collaborating scientists from the Ocean Census Science Network.

The discoveries encompass dozens of taxonomic groups and include 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 spider and brittle star. This is a significant step in advancing understanding of ocean biodiversity, and the Ocean Census data can be used alongside other marine datasets to shape strategies for conservation, climate resilience and natural resource management. Discoveries are expected to grow as the programme continues.

Three notable discoveries among the new Ocean Census species

Guitar Shark (Rhinobatos sp.) – Discovered at a depth of around 200m along the coasts of Mozambique and Tanzania, this newly identified guitar shark belongs to a distinctive group of animals that share characteristics of both sharks and rays. The guitar shark family is among the 10 most threatened vertebrate groups, with two-thirds of its species classified as Threatened. As apex predators, sharks and rays play a critical role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems, and their decline can significantly disrupt the ocean’s complex food web.

Gastropod (Turridrupa magnifica) – A remarkable discovery from the waters of New Caledonia and Vanuatu, this predator is one of 100 newly identified turrid gastropods. Equipped with venomous, harpoon-like teeth, these deep-sea snails inject toxins into their prey with precision. Related species have already contributed to groundbreaking medical advancements, including chronic pain treatments, and hold promising potential for cancer therapies.

Sea star (Tylaster sp.) – This species of sea star thrives in the extreme conditions of the Jøtul Hydrothermal Vent Field. Sea stars play a crucial role in deep-sea ecosystems, often acting as scavengers that recycle nutrients and support the deep ocean’s delicate balance. This species is only the second recorded for this genus, with the first one cited in the Norwegian Sea at 1,100m in 1881. This discovery highlights the importance of continued exploration in the Arctic – one of the least studied marine regions on the planet – as rapid climate change alters its fragile ecosystems.

Building on these exciting initial findings, the Ocean Census will continue to accelerate marine species discovery through new expeditions, dedicated Species Discovery Workshops, and the Species Discovery Awards programme across the Pacific, Indian, and Southern Oceans. For more information, visit oceancensus.org.

Main image: Coral reef, Weh Island, Indonesia. Photo by Yen-Yi Lee / Ocean Image Bank