Global Ocean Census

The Global Ocean Census is a global program to increase our understanding of marine biodiversity by identifying 100,000 new marine species in the next ten years. It involves scientists conducting expeditions to areas of high marine biodiversity and using cutting-edge tools such as high-resolution imaging, DNA sequencing, and machine learning.

Similar Expeditions

The Global Ocean Census follows in the footsteps of other significant marine scientific programs, such as the Challenger Expeditions between 1872 and 1876 and the Census of Marine Life from 2000 to 2010. While the Census of Marine Life conducted 540 marine expeditions, scientists could describe around 1,200 new marine species.

Importance and Goals

The Ocean Census is essential to improve our understanding of marine ecosystems and the countless species that inhabit them. This knowledge is crucial for conservation efforts, sustainable management of marine resources, and protection of marine biodiversity. It aligns with the Convention on Biological Diversity’s post-2020 global biodiversity framework, which aims to protect 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030.

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for enhancing international shipping safety, security, and environmental protection. It sets international standards and regulations for the shipping industry but does not have an enforcement mechanism.

India and IMO

India is one of the ten nations with the largest interest in international seaborne trade, and it has recently acceded to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (Hong Kong Convention). The IMO also plays a significant role in regulating shipping and promoting international marine trade.

International Seabed Authority

The International Seabed Authority is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It is mandated to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from deep-seabed-related activities.

UNCLOS

UNCLOS is the primary international treaty governing all maritime and marine-related activities. It establishes the foundation for state sovereignty over maritime areas. It designates various legal statuses to different maritime zones, including internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and high seas. UNCLOS is also known as the Law of the Sea.