Ocean Census

The Ocean Census GoSouth #SouthSandwichIslands expedition with Schmidt Ocean Institute is currently underway. Take a look at our week 1 update in images below 👇

Cracking the Mollusc Code: The secret history of molluscs is finally revealed! A ground-breaking study published today in Science Magazine has unravelled the evolutionary history of snails, clams, squids, and more!   Using cutting-edge genomics, researchers mapped out the ancient family tree, revealing that all molluscs—from garden snails to deep-sea octopuses—share a common ancestor with a hard shell, a foot for movement, a radula (a specialized feeding organ), but no eyes! Uncover all the new discoveries in the article below: Senckenberg Nature Research

Schmidt Ocean Institute's Ship to Shore program means that the team onboard R/V Falkor (too) can bring the #SouthSandwichIslands expedition to school classes, lecture halls and community groups around the world. Schmidt Ocean Institute describe them perfectly: "We like to think of them as “virtual field trips,” where learners are taken on a tour of R/V Falkor (too)’s main science deck and directly engage with scientists and crew". This week, quantitative marine ecologist Dr Jesse van der Grient took part in a Ship to Shore call, along with other members of the expedition team. Ocean Census scientists Sheena Talma and Raissa Hogan were also able to share the excitement of the expedition with high school children from a school in California. Find out more about Schmidt Ocean Institute's Ship to Shore program: https://lnkd.in/eZiym3-5

Let me guess, someone got a ship and was supposed to be doing taxonomy job but has so far nothing done and took hundreds photos of the icebergs. Jokes aside, Schmidt Ocean Institute's R/V Falkor (too) just entered South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands EEZ yesterday and the first icebergs are spotted this dawn. We are getting close to the end of our 8-day transit from Punta Arenas to South Sandwich Islands, where we will be mapping sea floors, assessing unknown geological features, collecting biological samples and searching for undescribed species. As part of the Ocean Census taxonomist team, I was working in the labs to prepare for our first ROV dive using SOI's ROV SuBastian, and also busy at adapting to my assigned shift - midnight sea pigs starting at 12 am! ROV SuBastian is equipped with high-res camera which allows us to do real-time identification in the mission control room and could also give us precious video footage of deep-sea animal's habitat and behaviour in situ that people might have never seen before. Those videos will also be streamed by SOI live on the youtube, give them a follow and watch the dive together with us!! Can't wait to reach our station and start our science work!! #SouthSandwichIslands More about the expedition: https://lnkd.in/ejrVE43E

First iceberg spotted! The #SouthSandwichIslands expedition team has officially entered the South Sandwich Islands EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) and come across their first iceberg on the journey to one of the most remote and least explored parts of our planet. The towering ice formations mark the transition into the extreme cold, deep currents, and icy landscapes that characterise the sub-Antarctic. As we push further south, we’re not alone—the skies above are graced by the majestic albatross. With wingspans of up to 3.5m, these seabirds effortlessly ride the strong Southern Ocean winds, and provide an exciting moment for the team on board Schmidt Ocean Institute's RV Falkor (too). Find out more about the biogeography of the South Sandwich Islands: https://lnkd.in/eKhFgpBZ The Ocean Census GoSouth: Searching for New Species in the South Sandwich Islands expedition is a 35-day research mission in collaboration with Schmidt Ocean Institute, that aims to map deep-sea habitats and document new species. Dive deeper: https://lnkd.in/eP2YUP3h 📸 Image credits: Zhehao Hu, Ocean Census Marine Ecologist from Universität Hamburg #TheNipponFoundation Nekton GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel British Antarctic Survey Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML)

The #SouthSandwichIslands are one of the most remote environments on Earth. Beneath the waves, underwater volcanoes, deep-sea trenches, and hydrothermal vents create unique and largely unexplored ecosystems. The unique combination of geography and geology has created a high level of endemism, supporting species found nowhere else. As the Ocean Census flagship expedition sets out to uncover new species and map these habitats, this article explores why this region is so important for deep-sea research, biodiversity, and understanding Earth's changing oceans. Discover more 👉 https://lnkd.in/eKhFgpBZ The Ocean Census GoSouth: Searching for New Species in the South Sandwich Islands is a 35-day research mission that brings together Schmidt Ocean Institute, The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census, GoSouth (University of Plymouth , British Antarctic Survey, and GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel), and the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

Ocean Census are pleased to be attending the World Ocean Summit and Expo in Tokyo in two weeks time. 🌊 Will we see you there? The 12th World Ocean Summit, hosted by Economist Impact, with the support of official host and Ocean Census founding partner, The Nippon Foundation, will continue action-based conversations on the key themes from previous World Ocean Summits. It will also provide a vital opportunity for participants to engage with the global ocean community. We are looking forward to sharing our latest project milestones, as well as insightful discussions with fellow researchers and leaders in ocean science. Are you attending too? Let us know in the comments! 👇 See the full programme and register here: https://bit.ly/3QpfIUO Economist Impact events #OceanSummit #TheNipponFoundation

Understanding the lives of animals and organisms has important implications for conservation. When a population is isolated, the risk of extinction grows dramatically. Scientists from the Ocean Census Science Network joined Schmidt Ocean Institute on their #AntarcticClimateConnections expedition, to study the ecosystems living at the interface between ice and sea. Take a look at some of the highlights captured by the Remotely Operated Vehicle 'SuBastian' below. We are fortunate to be using this same ROV on board the current #SouthSandwichIslands expedition with Schmidt Ocean Institute and GoSouth. The ROV technology allows the team to collect biological samples and capture high-resolution imagery of deep-sea ecosystems. Discover more about the expedition objectives here: https://lnkd.in/ekAF2372

We are thrilled to announce that the latest Ocean Census expedition has begun! The closest human beings to the Research Vessel ‘Falkor (too)’ during the #SouthSandwichIslands expedition may be orbiting Earth on the International Space Station. This remote volcanic archipelago is home to unique geological features - including underwater volcanoes, spreading ridges, and the 8,000-meter-deep South Sandwich Trench, the most isolated and coldest trench on Earth. The ‘Ocean Census GoSouth: Searching for New Species in the South Sandwich Islands’ is a 35-day research mission that brings together Schmidt Ocean Institute, Ocean Census, GoSouth (University of Plymouth, British Antarctic Survey, and GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel), and the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI). The expedition has a twofold mission: to discover new species and investigate the impacts of extreme geology on marine life. FIND OUT MORE about the expedition: https://lnkd.in/ekAF2372 Dr. Michelle Taylor (President of Deep-Sea Biology Society, Senior Lecturer at University of Essex) and her team will explore never-before-seen ecosystems in the deep sea, locating and describing new species. Dr. Jenny Gales (University of Plymouth), will lead the GoSouth project to survey volcanic flanks using ROV SuBastian, in order to assess how volcanism and earthquakes shape deep-sea ecosystems. Each new species discovered contributes to the Ocean Census’s global mission to accelerate the rate of ocean life discovery - critical knowledge in the race to understand and protect marine biodiversity. Joining the expedition are two creatives who will bring the deep sea to life in unique ways: 📸 Jialing Cai, an expert macrophotographer and winner of the 2023 Ocean Photographer of the Year Award with Oceanographic Magazine, will capture high-resolution imagery of potential new deep-sea specimens. 👗 Schmidt Ocean Institute Artist-at-Sea, Rosa Tharrats, a Barcelona-based visual artist and costume designer, will interpret the deep-sea world through textiles, exploring connections between nature and culture. Follow the expedition via #SouthSandwichIslands. 📸 Jialing Cai, 2023 Ocean Photographer of the Year / The Ocean Census SSI expedition / Schmidt Ocean Institute #OceanCensus #DeepSeaBiology #MarineBiodiversity #Expedition #TheNipponFoundation Nekton UN Ocean Decade

🌊🚨 Jobs Alert 🚨🌊 At-sea positions available on the R/V Falkor (too) — Schmidt Ocean Institute has temporary openings for a Fitter, a Wiper, and an Ordinary Seaman, and a permanent position for a Marine Technician. Join an amazing team and help boldly explore our unknown Ocean! Applications available here: https://lnkd.in/gx6xYe5t