Census of Marine Life

Incredible biodiversity that lies just below the surface

Representing the most comprehensive and authoritative answer yet to one of humanity’s most ancient questions – “what lives in the sea?” – Census of Marine Life scientists released an inventory of species distribution and diversity in key global ocean areas.
Scientists combined information collected over centuries with data obtained during the decade-long Census to create a roll call of species in 25 biologically representative regions – from the Antarctic through temperate and tropical seas to the Arctic.

More information

© Dr. Julian Finn, Museum Victoria © Eduardo Klein © César Herrera © JAMSTEC © JAMSTEC © JAMSTEC © Yoshihiro FUJIWARA/JAMSTEC © Antonina Rogacheva, Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Moscow © (photograph by I. MacDonald), Felder, D. L. and Camp, D. K. (eds.) 2009. Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Vol. 1. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas. © (photograph by I. MacDonald), Felder, D. L. and Camp, D. K. (eds.) 2009. Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Vol. 1. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas. © (photograph by H. Bahena), Felder, D. L. and Camp, D. K. (eds.) 2009. Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Vol. 1. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas.

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Our oceans are precious

The Census of Marine Life provides a glimpse into a vast and diverse marine world that we rarely see. Unfortunately much of this marine life is increasingly threatened by pollution, bycatch, development and climate change.

Learn more about what WWF is doing to address these threats and what you can do to help!

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