The Census of Antarctic Marine Life (CAML) was an international research initiative launched in 2006 to assess the diversity, distribution and abundance of marine life throughout the Southern Ocean. Its primary objective was to establish a comprehensive baseline of Antarctic marine biodiversity against which future environmental and climate-driven changes could be measured.

As part of this effort, scientists from the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences participated in successive BELARE expeditions, conducting systematic observations of seabirds and marine mammals while travelling through the Southern Ocean. Using binoculars and telescopes, researchers recorded the presence, abundance and distribution of species together with their location and the prevailing environmental conditions, creating a valuable dataset covering one of the least explored marine regions on Earth.

The information collected by CAML has contributed to a better understanding of Antarctic marine ecosystems and the distribution of top predators across the Southern Ocean. By providing a robust scientific reference for future comparisons, the project supports long-term research into the effects of climate change and other environmental pressures on Antarctic biodiversity.