Scientists discover deep sea enigma

Census of Marine Life finds new species

Source: Suzanne Goldenberg
Guardian October 24 2003 p18

The Census of Marine Life has involved over 300 scientists from 53 nations, and has catalogued 15,304 fish species, while identifying three previously unknown species every week. The census is scheduled to end in 2010. Much of marine life is still unknown to humans, since exploring the deep seas has been expensive, until remote-controlled underwater vehicles, and submersibles were developed. The impact of climate change, pollution and overfishing cannot easily be assessed without a better idea of marine life. The project also involves tracking salmon and tuna fish, to observe their migrations.
FI,BC