The 2,000-strong community of Census of Marine Life scientists from 82 nations has released a report showing major progress towards the first ever marine life census. The complete Census document will be released in October 2010.
More than 500 delegates gathered for the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity in Valencia, Spain, on 11 to 15 November. In the fourth report issued since the global collaboration began in 2000, Census scientists say their work is:
- Compiling an unprecedented number of "firsts" for ocean biodiversity;
- Advancing technology for discovery;
- Organising knowledge about marine life and making it accessible;
- Measuring effects of human activities on ocean life; and
- Providing the foundation for scientifically-based policies.
"The release of the first Census in 2010 will be a milestone in science," said AIMS CEO Dr Ian Poiner, who chairs the Census’s International Scientific Steering Committee. "After 10 years of new global research and information assembly by thousands of experts the world over, it will synthesise what humankind knows about the oceans, what we don’t know, and what we may never know – a scientific achievement of historic proportions."
"Dedication and co-operation are enabling the largest, most complex program ever undertaken in marine biology to meet its schedule and reach its goals," Dr Poiner said.
