Scientist free diving to make a photo identification of an individual manta ray (Manta birostris), Yum Balam Marine Protected Area, Quintana Roo, Mexico, North America

Beautiful soft coral colonies grow on a healthy coral reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity.

A beautiful set of tiny tunicates grows on a reef in Indonesia.This tropical region, within the Coral Triangle, is home to an incredible variety of marine life.

A snowflake moray eel (Echidna nebulosa) pokes its head out of a hole in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This beautiful area harbors extraordinary marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers.

A venomous stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) camouflages itself in sand in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity.

Detail of a large coral polyp in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity.

Detail of a mushroom coral (Fungia sp.) on a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity.

Abstract of a mushroom coral (Fungia sp.) growing on a reef in Indonesia. This tropical region, within the Coral Triangle, is home to an incredible variety of marine life.

A colorful crinoid clings to a coral reef slope in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity.

A colorful nudibranch (Nembrotha kubaryana) crawls slowly across a reef near the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. This beautiful, tropical region is home to an incredible variety of marine life.

Crinoids cling to a large sponge on a healthy coral reef near the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. This beautiful, tropical region is home to an incredible variety of marine life.

Colorful tunicates and soft corals grow on a reef in Wakatobi National Park, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its incredible marine biodiversity and gorgeous reefs.

Detail of the texture on a mushroom coral (Fungia sp.) growing in Wakatobi National Park, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its incredible marine biodiversity and gorgeous reefs.

Detail of a mushroom coral (Fungia sp.) on a reef in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote, tropical region is home to extraordinary marine biodiversity.

View of Roald Amundsen monument sculpture at The Fram Museum, Bygdoynesveien, Oslo, Norway, Scandinavia, Europe

Curious adult bull walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) approach the ship at Moffen Island in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway, Arctic, Europe

Polar bear (Ursus Maritimus) on Axel Heiberg island, Nunavut, Canadian Arctic, Canada, North America

Expedition ship Polar Star operating from Ushuaia, Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula in Antarctica, Southern Ocean, Polar Regions

Argentine ship the Almirante Viel operating from Ushuaia, Argentina to the Antarctic Peninsula in Antarctica, Southern Ocean, Polar Regions

Pregnant female southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) giving birth on the beach in Stromness Bay, South Georgia Island

Black-browed albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys) breeding colony on Steeple Jason Island in the Falkland Islands

A pod of Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) leaping and surfacing in Johnstone Strait, British Columbia, Canada, North America

Adult humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) co-operatively bubble-net feeding in Southeast Alaska, United States of America

A rare sighting of an adult blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) sub-surface feeding in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

Puffin, Alaska Sealife Centre, Coldwater Marine Science Facility, Seward, Resurrection Bay, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, United States of America, North America

A beautiful nudibranch (Halgerda batangas) crawls on the sandy seafloor of Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. Lembeh Strait is known for its diverse array of bizarre marine organisms.

Detail of anchor coral tentacles (Euphyllia sp.) growing on a reef in Indonesia. This area is known for its high marine biodiversity.

A beautiful nudibranch (Hypselodoris bullockii) crawls slowly across a reef in Indonesia. This tropical region, within the Coral Triangle, is home to an incredible variety of marine life.

A bulbed anemone (Entacmaea quadricolor) grows on a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This beautiful area harbors extraordinary marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers.

A rare roughsnout ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paegnius) hovers above the seafloor in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This beautiful area harbors extraordinary marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers.

A flathead fish camouflages itself in the sandy seafloor of Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity.

A pycnogonid, or sea spider, crawls along the mucky seafloor of Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity.

Sunlight sparkles through a table coral (Acropora sp.) in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity.

A lionfish (Pterois volitans) displays its venomous spines in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical area in the western Pacific harbors an extraordinary array of marine organisms.

A shortfin lionfish (Dendrochirus brachypterus) lays on the seafloor waiting for prey to swim near in Indonesia. This tropical region, within the Coral Triangle, is home to an incredible variety of marine life.

A translucent shrimp (Vir philippinensis) crawls on bubble coral in Wakatobi National Park, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its incredible marine biodiversity and gorgeous reefs.

Acoel flatworms cover a coral colony on a reef in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote, tropical region is home to extraordinary marine biodiversity.

A tiny shrimp (Periclimenes soror) lives on a pin-cushion starfish in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote, tropical region is home to extraordinary marine biodiversity.

Wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) chick at breeding colony on Prion Island, Bay of Isles, South Georgia

Petrified forest, Agia Marina, Agios Nikolaos Geopark geological structures, Greece

Art Science museum and Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

Nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum), massing in Hol Chan Marine Preserve, inside the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Belize

Glacial iceberg detail from ice calved off the LeConte Glacier near Petersberg, Southeast Alaska, United States of America

Adult humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) co-operatively bubble-net feeding in Southeast Alaska, United States of America

A mother polar bear (Ursus maritimus), and cub of the year feeding on a fin whale carcass in Holmabukta in the Svalbard Archipelago, Norway

A tiny cleaner shrimp removes parasites from a Black-finned snake eel (Ophichthus cephalozona) on a sandy seafloor in Indonesia. This tropical region, within the Coral Triangle, is home to an incredible variety of marine life.

Coral polyps (Galaxea sp.) wait for plankton on a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This beautiful area harbors extraordinary marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers.

A Clark's anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) snuggles into the tentacles of its host anemone in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This beautiful area harbors extraordinary marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers.

A beautiful starfish (Linckia laevigata) lays on a thriving reef in Indonesia. This tropical region, within the Coral Triangle, is home to an incredible variety of marine life.

A live sundial shell (Architectonica perspectiva) crawls across the seafloor in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity.

A pair of Ceylon nudibranchs (Gymnodoris ceylonica) mate on a sandy slope in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity.

A Black-finned snake eel (Ophichthus cephalozona) pokes its head out of a sandy seafloor in Indonesia. This tropical region, within the Coral Triangle, is home to an incredible variety of marine life.

Soft corals, sponges, and other invertebrates compete for space on a beautiful reef in Indonesia. This tropical region, within the Coral Triangle, is home to an incredible variety of marine life.

A camouflaged horned flathead (Thysanophrys carbunculus) lays hidden on a sandy slope near the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. This beautiful, tropical region is home to an incredible variety of marine life.

A stargazer fish (Uranoscopus sulphureus) camouflages itself in sand in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity.

Detail of a stony coral (Galaxea sp.) growing in Wakatobi National Park, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its incredible marine biodiversity and gorgeous reefs.

An unusual sea star (Linckia laevigata) clings to a diverse reef near the island of Bangka, Indonesia. This beautiful, tropical region is home to an incredible variety of marine life.

Colony of tunicates grow on a reef in Wakatobi National Park, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its incredible marine biodiversity and gorgeous reefs.

A pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) swims among the tentacles of its host anemone in Wakatobi National Park, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its incredible marine biodiversity and gorgeous reefs.

A pink anemonefish (Amphiprion perideraion) swims among the tentacles of its host anemone in Wakatobi National Park, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its incredible marine biodiversity and gorgeous reefs.

Views of Base Presidente Eduardo Frei Montalva, Antarctica, Southern Ocean, Polar Regions

Underwater scenes from the Galapagos Island Archipelago, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ecuador, South America

Iceberg detail in and around the Antarctic Peninsula during the austral summer months, Southern Ocean, Antarctica, Polar Regions

Southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) mating behavior on South Georgia Island, Southern Ocean

A pair of robust ghost pipefish (Solenostomus cyanopterus) hover above the seafloor in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical area in the western Pacific harbors an extraordinary array of marine organisms.

A tube anemone grows on a sandy seafloor in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical area in the western Pacific harbors an extraordinary array of marine organisms.

A stargazer fish (Uranoscopus sulphureus) camouflages itself in sand in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity.

A massive school of bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) swims in deep water near Cocos Island, Costa Rica. This remote island is home to an incredible variety of marine life.

A large black-blotched stingray (Taeniura meyeni) swims in deep water near Cocos Island, Costa Rica. This remote island is home to an incredible variety of marine life.

Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi), underwater on Las Animas Island, Baja California Sur, Sea of Cortez, Mexico, North America

An argonaut (Genus Argonauta), a group of pelagic octopuses. Baja California, Sea of Cortez, Mexico, North America

Detail of an encrusting sponge growing on a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity.

Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), surfacing in Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, Baja California Sur, Mexico,, North America

A venomous scorpionfish is found on a healthy coral reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity.

Killer whale pod (Orcinus orca), beside tourists in inflatables off Punta Colorada, Isla San Jose, Baja California Sur, Mexico, North America

Researcher takes samples of bull shark skin, Beqa Lagoon, Viti Levu, Fiji, South Pacific, Pacific

Researcher takes samples of bull shark skin, Beqa Lagoon, Viti Levu, Fiji, South Pacific, Pacific

Research scientist Lori Davis holds hammerhead shark pup (Sphyrna lewini), Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii, United States of America, Pacific

Research scientist taking hook off hammerhead shark pup (Sphyrna lewini), Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii, United States of America, Pacific

Scientists and graduate student collecting hammerhead shark pups for research, Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii, United States of America, Pacific

Tank with hundreds of tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii, United States of America, Pacific

Graduate student dissects hammerhead shark pup (Sphyrna lewini), Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii, United States of America, Pacific

The National Geographic Endeavour pushing through brash ice and small icebergs in the Lemaire Channel near the Antarctic Peninsula.

The National Geographic Endeavour breaking through ice floes in the Weddell Sea around the Antarctic Peninsula. Guests are on the bow watching the process.

The National Geographic Endeavour pushing through brash ice and small icebergs in the Lemaire Channel near the Antarctic Peninsula.

Crab preying on dead portuguese man-of-war, Physalia physalis, Praia do Forte, Bahia, Brazil (South Atlantic)

sharks in an aquarium, L'Aquarium, Moll D'Espana, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Recovery of Astronaut Alan Shepard, 1961

Dumbo Octopus

Deep-sea Jellyfish

Shetland Islands, Scotland

German research icebreaker Polarstern, operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Isfjorden, Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway, Europe

Inishowen Maritime Museum, Greencastle, County Donegal, Ireland

Inishowen Maritime Museum, Greencastle, County Donegal, Ireland

Research divers from the MOC Marine Institute glue broken coral heads back together and map out coral damage at Molokini Marine Preserve off the island of Maui, Hawaii. In the future, data from here will help to determine the health of Hawaii's reefs, Maui, Hawaii, United States of America

Research divers from the MOC Marine Institute map out coral damage at Molokini Marine Preserve off the island of Maui, Hawaii. In the future, data from here will help to determine the health of Hawaii's reefs, Maui, Hawaii, United States of America

A research diver from the MOC Marine Institute glues broken coral back together at Molokini Marine Preserve off the island of Maui, Hawaii. The coral is tagged and will be monitored, Maui, Hawaii, United States of America

Tara Oceans Expeditions - May 2011. Tara with deployed plancton nets. On "station", the boat is drifting without engine or sails. Tara Oceans, a unique expedition: Tara Oceans is the very first attempt to make a global study of marine plankton, a form of sea life that includes organisms as small as viruses and bacterias, and as big as medusas. Our goal is to better understand planktonic ecosystems by exploring the countless species, learning about interactions among them and with their environment. Marine plankton is the only ecosystem that is almost continuous over the surface of the Earth. Studying plankton is like taking the pulse of our planet. Recently, scientists have discovered the great importance of plankton for the climate: populations of plankton are affected very rapidly by variations in climate. But in turn they can influence the climate by modifying the absorption of carbon. In a context of rapid physico-chemical changes, for example the acidification observed today in the world's oceans, it is urgent to understand and predict the evolution of these particular ecosystems. Finally, plankton is an astonishing way of going back in time ? a prime source of fossils. Over the eons, plankton has created several hundred meters of sediment on the ocean floors. This allows us to go back in time, to the first oceans on Earth, and better understand the history of our biosphere. More than 12 fields of research are involved in the project, which will bring together an international team of oceanographers, ecologists, biologists, geneticists, and physicists from prestigious laboratories headed by Eric Karsenti of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory. Galapagos

Installation of an acoustic recorder for the study of the frequentation and impact of acoustic diving, in the Natural Marine Reserve of Cerbere-Banyuls, Pyrenees-Orientales, Occitania, France

The Portuguese man o' war (Physalia physalis), also known as the man-of-war, a marine hydrozoan floating on the surface. Azores, Portugal, Atlantic Ocean.