In a Single Year, Ocean Census Scientists Discovered More than 1,100 New Marine Species

Oceans cover more than 70% of Earth, yet most marine life remains poorly understood. Tens of thousands of marine creatures have been recorded, but only a small portion of biodiversity has been documented. The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census estimates that up to 90% of ocean life is still a mystery. Ocean Census is a collaborative program that speeds up finding and documenting marine species. Between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, researchers discovered 1,121 new species through 13 expeditions and nine species discovery workshops with scientists worldwide. The work aims to reduce delays in formally describing species that may disappear before documentation, improving understanding and protection of marine ecosystems.

"Oceans cover more than 70 percent of the earth, and yet there is so much we have yet to understand about these vast and biodiverse expanses. Even though we've recorded tens of thousands of marine creatures over the decades and scientists are discovering new species all the time, we've really only scratched the surface. According to The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census, up to 90 percent of ocean life remains a mystery."

"A major collaborative program involving Schmidt Ocean Institute and many others, Ocean Census is accelerating the pace at which marine life is found and documented. Between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026, alone, the initiative's researchers officially discovered 1,121 new species through 13 expeditions and nine "species discovery workshops" involving leading scientists around the globe."

""With many species at risk of disappearing before they are even documented, we are in a race against time to understand and protect ocean life," says Dr. Michelle Taylor, who is Head of Science for Ocean Census. "Too many species remain in limbo for years because the process of formally describing them is too slow. We urgently need to change that...Every new species-whether a shark or a sponge-deepens our understanding of marine ecosystems and the benefits they provide for the planet.""

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