Marine Science in Australia

The Australian Institute of Marine Science  (AIMS) was established by the Australian Government in 1972 to generate the knowledge needed for the sustainable use and protection of the marine environment through innovative, world-class scientific and technological research.

Australia’s Marine Science and Technology Plan presents a vision for the future of our marine research capabilities, and the benefits these can bring to the understanding and sustainable use of our marine environment. The Plan, prepared by an expert Working Group and released by the Minister for Industry, Science & Resources in June 1999, is a companion document to Australia's Oceans Policy.

The Overview outlines the major issues and conclusions that can be found in greater detail in the Plan itself.

• Australia's Marine Science and Technology Plan: an Overview   (1.79 MB), 25 June 1999
• Australia's Marine Science and Technology Plan   (1.24 MB), 25 June 1999

The Coasts and Oceans website  provides information about the coastal and marine legislation, policies and programs which are developed and implemented by the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Water Resources.

The following Cooperative Research Centres undertake marine science-related research:

• CRC for The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area 
• CRC for Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterway Management 
• CRC for Antarctica and the Southern Ocean 

The National Marine Science Centre,  located at Coffs Harbour, northern New South Wales, is a joint venture of the University of New England and Southern Cross University. Its establishment was made possible through a grant of $12m from the Commonwealth’s Federation Fund.

Researchers and students at a number of our Universities are able to conduct marine research from island research stations off the eastern coast of Queensland. The stations and their managing universities are:

University of Queensland	North Stradbroke Island     Heron Island  Low Isles
James Cook University	Orpheus Island
Sydney University	One Tree Island

Several Universities in all States offer courses and post-graduate research opportunities in the marine sciences.

A significant number of organisations outside the Education, Science and Training portfolio conduct or commission marine research; study and develop technology for use in the marine environment; or collect, collate and analyse oceanographic data. With DEST Science Group, these organisations are members of the Heads of (Australian Government) Marine Agencies:

• Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) 
• Australian Government Antarctic Division (AGAD) 
• Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) 
• Australian Hydrographic Office (AHO) 
• Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) 
• Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) 
• Directorate of Oceanography and Meteorology, Royal Australian Navy (RAN METOC)  
• Fisheries Research & Development Corporation (FRDC) 
• Geoscience Australia (GA) 
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) 
• Bureau of Meteorology - Oceanographic Services 

Further organisations of interest include:

• Australian Museum, Lizard Island Research Station  
• Australian Maritime College, Launceston 
• Australian Marine Sciences Association