The Ocean Census project has identified 866 new marine species, including a pygmy pipehorse found off the coast of South Africa and a deep-sea limpet thriving under extreme pressure in Norway’s Arctic waters.
Scientists used DNA sequencing, high-resolution imaging, and machine learning to speed up species identification, aiming to document 100,000 new species in Earth's oceans.
Experts emphasize that only about 10% of marine life has been discovered, and as the ocean changes rapidly due to climate and human impact, understanding these ecosystems is more urgent than ever.
With advanced technology, researchers believe they can learn more about the ocean in the next decade than in the last 10,000 years, helping to protect marine biodiversity for future generations.
