15,000 fish species detected in census

This undated photo released by the Census of Marine Life shows a new species of scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis Vittapinna) found in the Indo-Pacific area, one of a rapidly growing list of more than 15,300 marine fish species now logged in the Census of Marine Life database. PHOTO: AFP

"Every species of large wild fish has been caught so extensively over the past 50 years that 90 percent of each type have disappeared," said the Census of Marine Life report on the first three years' work.

"We are creating an ocean in which it is much safer to be small," said Jesse Ausubel, the programme director for the census, which will be pursued until 2010.

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Ausubel particularly highlighted the immediate plight of the leatherback turtle, which he said "may be at risk of extinction."

More than 300 scientists from 53 countries are taking part in the study, which is costing about one billion dollars but is being paid for by the governments of about 50 countries and UN agencies.

The aim is to find all different species and explain their evolution.

The scientists believe there are about 5,000 more species to be discovered.

Ron O'Dor, chief scientist for the Census of Marine Life, said "increases in toxic compounds and temperature in the sea are occurring globally with consequences that are hard to predict."