Marine science driving the development
of Australia's blue economy
The Midway Point: how far have we come?
The National Marine Science Committee recently launched the National Marine Science Plan 2015–2025: The Midway Point.
The Midway Point is both a review of the National Marine Science Plan 2015–2025 and a renewed clarion call for the marine science community, industry and government to drive the blue economy’s development and fulfil its prosperity potential.
Read the report and its accompanying Stories from the blue economy here.
How can I get involved?
At a glance: Australia's valuable marine estate
Australia’s vast oceans are the heritage, heart and economic future of our country. The value of this marine estate to the homes, work, play, energy, food, safety and security of all Australians is matched only by the enormous economic and environmental wealth this national asset affords us.
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Australia's marine industry, including fishing, offshore oil and gas, ship-building and tourism, contributed $69.2 billion in 2017-18. This was 3.7% of the national gross domestic product.
(Source: Australian Institute of Marine Science Index of Marine Industry 2020)
The Great Barrier Reef has an economic, social and icon asset value of $56 billion. It supports 64,000 jobs and contributes
$6.4 billion pa to the Australian economy. It is integral to Traditional Owners' identity.
(Source: Deloitte Access Economics, The Economic, Social and Icon Value of the Great Barrier Reef 2017)
More than 85% of Australians live within 50km of the coastline, which extends approximately 33,000 km. Australia's Exclusive Economic Zone is one of the largest in the world at 10 million km2
(Source: Australia State of the Environment 2016 and Geoscience Australia)
The marine science community commits to integrating traditional knowledge, two-way knowledge exchange and partnerships with Traditional Owners wherever possible.
Recommendation 9, National Marine Science Plan 2015–2025: The Midway Point
Photo courtesy of Kimberley Land Council
The blue economy is an ever-evolving and exciting space. Join the community of marine stakeholders making it happen.
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Publications and resources
Explore the reports, white papers, presentations, submissions and strategies developed by the NMSC and its working groups.
NMSC Chair and Deputy
Chair: Dr Patrick Hone, Managing Director, Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Deputy Chair: Kim Picard, Chair of the AusSeabed Steering Committee, Geoscience Australia
NMSC secretariat
annette.lyons@frdc.com.au
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