Hairy frogfish (Antennarius striatus) juvenile catching and swallowing a flounder (suborder Pleuronectoidei). Filmed off Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia, at a depth of 5 metres.

FROGFISH

TAPE: EF03/0954 IN_TIME: 22:17:11 DURATION: 3:14 SOURCES: APTN / VNR RESTRICTIONS: DATELINE: 22 Oct 2003 SHOTLIST: Census of Marine Life VNR FILE- Unidentified Location 1. Scientists catching and tagging tuna fish APTN Washington, DC, 23 October, 2003 2. Wide of news conference 3. SOUNDBITE (English) J. Frederick Grassle, Chair of Census of Marine Life Scientific Steering Committee "So we want to know where animals...these different kinds...these 210.000 or ultimately one million species or more are present or absent. And then we want to know their populations, abundance, how many there are." 4. Audience listening Census of Marine Life VNR FILE- North Atlantic Abyssal Plain 5. "Dumbo" Octopus 6. Recently discovered type of frogfish 7. Newly discovered species of "Rattail" fish 8. Deep sea crab 9. Deep sea shrimp that lives on oceanic volcanic vents 10. Newly discovered type of swimming deep sea cucumber APTN Washington, DC (October 23, 2003) (APTN - Client Access Only) 11. Wide of panel 12. Ron D'Or, Census of Marine Life Chief Scientist "New species are being discovered on a ...I think about three new species a week is the estimate currently." Census of Marine Life VNR FILE- Unidentified Location 13. Various of marine life 14. Various of bird being tagged STORYLINE: An unprecedented census of life in the world's oceans is discovering three new fish species a week on average and predicts as many as 5,000 unknown fish species may be lurking undetected, according to the first interim report. By the time they're done in 2010, scientists say they may find more than 2 million different species of marine life. Already, projects have turned up some very weird deep sea creatures, including squid that look like shrimp, a winged, snouted octopus nicknamed "Dumbo" after the Disney cartoon elephant that flew with his ears, and some creatures that scientists have no idea what to call. Three hundred scientists from 53 countries participating in the 1 (b) billion US dollar study reported their first findings Thursday, three years into the decade-long project. So far, the Census of Marine Life comprised 15,304 species of fish and 194,696 to 214,696 species of animals and plants, estimated to be roughly 10 percent of the world's total. The census is adding about 150 to 200 species of fish and 1,700 species of animals and plants each year. The scientists said they believe the oceans that extend across 70 percent of Earth's surface hold about 20,000 species of fish and up to 1.98 million species of animals and plants. Many of those could be basic and small life forms, such as worms and jellyfish. Scientists hope to gain a better understanding of life in the mostly unexplored seas, learning about evolution and climate, pole to pole. Environmentalists hope to use it to counter overfishing and pollution that has depleted the ocean's resources. Industry hopes it will lead to more efficient fishing and shipping, new pharmaceuticals and industrial compounds. Some projects involve tagging birds, sharks, tuna and other sea creatures with microtransmitters that uplink data on their movements and environment to satellites high over head. Scientists said they have already turned up intriguing insights into such things as how young salmon survive in the open ocean and how sharks find and track the schools of fish they hunt.

Shaggy frogfish (Antennarius hispidus) or hispid frogfish, trying to attract prey, Strait of Lembeh, Indonesia, Asia

Frogfish hiding. Filmed in the Caribbean Sea.

Shaggy frogfish (Antennarius hispidus) or hispid frogfish, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi, Indonesia, Asia

Juvenile Frogfish

Frogfish. Filmed in the Caribbean Sea.

Giant frogfish (Antennarius commersonii), open mouth, Lembeh Strait, Indo-Pacific, Indonesia, Asia

Frogfish - Yellow, Many Angels

(VIDEO) UNDERWATER / U/352, FROGFISH

Frogfish. Filmed in the Caribbean Sea.

(VIDEO) UNDERWATER / U/352, FROGFISH PAIR

Head of a frogfish (Antennarius multiocellatus) , close-up. Like other frogfish, it uses its excellent cryptic coloration and texture to mimic sponges and rocks, allowing it to avoid detection by predators and prey. It typically eats smaller fish, engulfing them with a sudden gulp when they come too close. Frogfish are found in almost all the worlds" seas and oceans. Filmed in the Caribbean Sea.

Yellow frogfish (Antennarius multiocellatus) approaching the camera. Frogfish have camouflage that allows them to remain hidden amongst sponges on reefs, where they wait immobile until prey passes, before engulfing it with a sudden gulp. Filmed in the Caribbean Sea.

(VIDEO) UNDERWATER / U-352, FROGFISH

Yellow frogfish (Antennarius multiocellatus) walking on a reef. Frogfish have camouflage that allows them to remain hidden amongst sponges on reefs, where they wait immobile until prey passes, before engulfing it with a sudden gulp. Filmed in the Caribbean Sea.