Oceans Policy Science Advisory Group Providing a framework for our Marine Nation Dr Kate Wilson June 2009

Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, Australia has sovereign rights and duties in its EEZ: “for the purpose of exploring and exploiting, conserving and managing the natural resources, whether living or non-living, of the waters … and of the seabed and its subsoil”

Teeming with biodiversity  our ocean territory spans tropics to the poles  includes many biodiversity ‘hot spots’ recognised globally Southern Ocean Temperate Tropical

Economic value of our oceans  >4 % of GDP contributed by ocean energy, tourism, food + recreation industries  90% of our liquid hydrocarbon comes from offshore, (only 20% of prospective basins under license)  maritime trade = $340 billion pa + investment in ports  maritime industries = $38 billion pa (42% increase since 2000)  emerging ocean industries have great potential bio-discovery, minerals, carbon capture + storage, renewable energy, offshore aquaculture - AIMS Index of Marine Industry 2008

A Marine Nation: a national framework for marine R&D

Opportunities and challenges for Australia’s coastal and ocean domain

A National Framework

Oceans are vast and data poor

Improved governance  a national steering committee for marine research + innovation to: bring together all marine science providers provide a cohesive strategy for investment provide an appropriate policy interface provide for annual reporting + accountability advise Government on marine R&D

Marine science in the spotlight "Australia has unique natural resources and distinctive flora and fauna. Our resource profile will inevitably influence our innovation priorities. For example, Australia has the third largest ocean territory in the world, so it makes sense for us to focus on marine science." - Powering ideas: an innovation agenda for the 21st century Australian Government

Marine central to Government’s plan “Marine research is central to understanding how and when our climate is likely to change, and managing the impact on precious environments like the Great Barrier Reef and the Southern Ocean.” - Senator the Hon Kim Carr Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science & Research May 2009

Budget backs marine science  $120M to CSIRO to construct new ‘blue-water’ marine research vessel  $52M to Integrated Marine Observing System:  $55M to Australian Institute of Marine Science  $45M to establish Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies  $19M for Sydney Institute of Marine Science  $25.2M to Australian Antarctic Division

IMOS

Marine National Facility

Diverse communities at 1106 m depth Extensive coral habitats at 1065 m depth Rich diversity Environmental protection, conservation: extinct undersea volcanos support thriving biodiversity

Voyages of discovery

Atlas of Living Australia

“The central role of national facilities was emphasised and as an example the National Collections will be a central plank of our ability to address the challenges facing biodiversity and the additional $30M funding for the Atlas of Living Australia reflects the priority placed on this capability by Government.” - CSIRO Executive June 2009

Thank you Dr Kate Wilson