Home / Environment / Ocean Census: 1,121 New Species Found!
Ocean Census: 1,121 New Species Found!
19 May
Summary
- Over 1,100 new marine species were identified globally last year.
- Discoveries include a worm in a glass castle and a carnivorous sponge.
- The initiative aims to document species before they disappear.
The Ocean Census, a global research effort involving over 1,000 scientists from 85 countries, announced the discovery of 1,121 new marine species within the last year. This represents a substantial 54% surge in annual identifications, underscoring how much remains unknown about Earth's oceans, particularly the deep sea.
Key findings include a bristle worm dwelling in a silica-based 'glass castle' sponge off Japan, a 'ghost shark' species found near Australia, and a carnivorous 'death ball' sponge discovered near the South Sandwich Islands. Scientists are racing against time to document these creatures, which face threats from climate change and pollution.
The Ocean Census aims to accelerate the formal description process for new species, allowing immediate recording in its database upon expert validation. This approach makes discoveries visible to the scientific community and policymakers, facilitating conservation efforts.
Researchers advocate for increased investment in ocean exploration, comparing the cost to space missions. They argue that understanding and protecting marine biodiversity is crucial, given its ecological, scientific, and economic value, stating it is more critical than ever to act.
