An orange and white striped clownfish sits in an anemone.

Census of Marine Life

This recently discovered hairy crab species (Kiwa hirsuta) has no eyes.

The Census of Marine Life Overview

Looking to find out what the Census of Marine Life is? This overview dives into everything to know.

Read More

Featured Content

What We DON'T Know About the Deep Sea

Dive through the zones of the ocean to the deep ocean bottom where many strange species live, and there are many yet to be discovered. Explore them in the Deep Ocean Exploration section.

On Biodiversity: Understanding its Meaning and Importance

Nine small invertebrates held on two fingers.

Are You An Educator?

At Smithsonian Ocean, we have lesson plans, activities, and resources to help you engage your students in the wonders of our oceans.
see all lesson plans

Census of Marine Life Articles

A Tale of Sex and Stress in the Ocean

A coral has just spawned. Each of the hundreds of polyps releases a small pink bundle of sperm and eggs.

NOAA Teacher at Sea Ruth Meadows

Ruth Meadows examines specimens as part of her Teacher at Sea experience. NOAA Teacher at Sea Ruth Meadows sorts specimens aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow as part of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge Ecosystem (MAR-ECO) project.

Five Questions with Brigitte Ebbe, Polychaete Pundit

A red and white colored bristle worm swims in the water column.

On Biodiversity: Understanding its Meaning and Importance

Nine small invertebrates held on two fingers.

What We DON'T Know About the Deep Sea

Dive through the zones of the ocean to the deep ocean bottom where many strange species live, and there are many yet to be discovered. Explore them in the Deep Ocean Exploration section.

Menopausal Moms: A Mammal Mystery

An adult and juvenile killer whale frolic in the water.

Five Questions with Russ Hopcroft, Zooplankton Whiz

This copepod (Gaussia princeps) was collected deeper than 1000 meters in the Sargasso Sea by Census of Marine Zooplankton (CMarZ) researchers in April 2006.