Census of Marine Life
Started in 2000, the Census of Marine Life (CoML) is a major international observational program to assess and explain the diversity, distribution, and abundance of marine life. The program will culminate in the release of the First Census of Marine Life in October 2010.
The Foundation has supported development of the substance of the CoML and provided for its sound management. On substance, funds have fostered 14 field projects, built the History of Marine Animal Populations to benchmark current populations, and created a network to predict the Future of Marine Animal Populations. The set of field projects ranges from Arctic to Antarctic, bottom to surface, near-shore to mid-ocean, and microbes to mammals. On management, the Foundation has supported the Ocean Biogeographical Information System (OBIS) to assimilate and access data; the international Scientific Steering Committee and Secretariat; the US National Committee, an Education and Outreach Network to lift visibility; and efforts to engage other nations and organizations.