The Census of Marine Life was a ten-year survey of life in the oceans, starting in 2000. Its head was Ron O'Dor of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. It used data from researchers all over the world. More than 70 nations were involved and over a billion US dollars were spent on it.
It was a major work of marine ecology. It was founded by J. Frederick Grassle.
The purpose of the Census of Marine Life was to say what is alive in our seas and oceans.