Discovery of Over 800 New Marine Species Highlights Ocean Biodiversity

In a remarkable achievement for marine research, a global initiative known as the Ocean Census has identified over 800 new species following two years of collaborative fieldwork. This endeavor, supported by scientists, governments, museums, and various organizations, aims to enhance the understanding and conservation of marine life.

Significant Findings from the Ocean Census

The collaborative effort included a series of 10 global expeditions and eight Species Discovery Workshops, which facilitated the registration of unique species such as:

• Guitar Shark
• Turridrupa sp. Gastropod
• Deep-Sea Sea Star: Tylaster sp.
• And many more including new varieties of octocoral, shrimp, and other marine organisms.

Oliver Steeds, director of the Ocean Census, noted, “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.” This collective effort underscores the ongoing dedication to marine biodiversity research.

Impact of New Species Discovery on Conservation

Despite covering over 70% of the planet, the oceans remain significantly understudied, with an estimated 90% of marine life still undiscovered. Dr. Michelle Taylor, a principal investigator for the Ocean Census, highlighted that “only around 10% of marine life has been discovered so far.” This gap in knowledge presents challenges for conservation efforts.

In 2023, United Nations member states reached a historic agreement to establish a treaty focused on protecting biodiversity in the high seas. More than 100 nations, including the U.S., committed to conserving 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030, which aligns with the goals of the Ocean Census.

The Role of Expeditions in Species Identification

To facilitate species identification, the Ocean Census employed divers, submersibles, and deep-sea robots capable of exploring depths of up to 5,000 meters. This innovative approach enabled researchers to analyze and confirm new discoveries in laboratories worldwide. Each of these discoveries not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also informs conservation strategies, as noted by Dave Ebert from the Pacific Shark Research Institute: “Knowing we have another new species allows us to develop conservation methods for it – if it needs it.”

Featured Discoveries

Guitar Shark

Identified at depths of 200 meters off the coasts of Mozambique and Tanzania, the guitar shark symbolizes the blend of traits found in both sharks and rays. Despite having 38 known species globally, this group is critically endangered, with two-thirds facing threats to their survival.

Turridrupa sp. Gastropod

This newly discovered predator inhabits depths of 380 to 400 meters in New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Known for its ability to inject toxins into prey with harpoon-like teeth, it represents one of 100 new turrid gastropods identified in the initiative.

Sea Star: Tylaster sp.

Discovered at depths between 2,770 and 3,575 meters in the Arctic’s Jøtul Vent Field, this sea star represents the second recorded species of its genus since 1881, emphasizing the ongoing need for exploration in some of the world’s least studied regions.

A Collective Effort for Marine Conservation

Founded in April 2023 by the Nippon Foundation and Nekton, the Ocean Census involves approximately 400 institutions and has financially supported 93 scientists to expedite the identification and formal registration of marine species. Given the lengthy process that can take over 13 years, timely documentation is crucial, as some species may face extinction before being formally recognized.