What lies under the sea we sail on?

What lies under the sea we sail on?

Scientists in Australia have joined colleagues from around the world to conduct the first global census of life under the sea.

The Census of Marine Life is a 10-year scientific initiative to assess and explain the diversity, distribution, and abundance of life in the oceans.

The first census project, chaired by Dr Ian Poiner, CEO of the Australian Institute of Marine Science, included more than 2700 scientists from 80 countries and 670 institutions. They took part in 540 expeditions, amounting to 9000 days at sea.

“The health of our ocean environment is critical to our industries and our way of life,” Senator Carr said. “The knowledge we have gained through the Census team will help us to improve our ocean management and protect our natural marine treasures.”

Dr Poiner said: “The first global census of marine life shows life in planet ocean is richer, more connected and more altered than expected”.

The Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef formed part of one of the 17 census projects. As part of the survey into coral reefs, between 300 and 500 new species were discovered.

The Census has also created the world’s largest repository of data about marine species, including nearly 30 million records of marine life - publicly available for the first time - 2,600 research papers and 34 books.

The Census of Marine Life was officially released last night in London and can be viewed at www.coml.org.

For more information on the Innovation, Industry, Science and Research portfolio, including the Australian Institute of Marine Science and the CSIRO who took part in the Census, visit www.innovation.gov.au.