AT A GLANCE: AUSTRALIA'S 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 that this national asset affords us.
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Australia's marine industry, including fishing, offshore oil and gas, ship building and tourism, was worth over $73 billion in 2013-14. This was 4.8% of the national gross domestic product.
(Source: Australian Institute of Marine Science Index of Marine Industry 2016)
"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 to the Australian economy."
(Source: Deloitte Access Economics, The Economic, Social and Icon Value of the Great Barrier Reef 2017)
The Australian coastline extends approximately 34,000 km.
50% of all Australians live within 7km of the ocean.
(Source: Geoscience Australia)
BIG PICTURE: BENEFITS OF AUSTRALIAN MARINE SCIENCE
Marine science establishes essential knowledge of ocean systems and resources, providing the evidence base for industry and government to plan, invest and mitigate risk.
Marine science drives development of new marine technologies and innovation that will translate marine science discovery into industry development, job growth, environmental sustainability and economic prosperity for Australia.
“Our culture and our view of oceans aren’t fixed in time. They aren’t held in an institution. They don’t hang upon a museum wall. You won’t find them searching the texts of the many scientists that have studied our people’s ways. Oceans are a part of us, and we are a part of them.”
Rodney Dillon, National Sea Rights Portfolio Commissioner
Sea Country—an Indigenous Perspective
EXPLORE THE NATIONAL MARINE SCIENCE PLAN (2015-2025)
The National Marine Science Plan is a call to action to Australia's marine scientists, and to all those who will benefit from a strong marine science sector.
The Plan and the National Marine Science Committee are dedicated to working with governments, industries and communities to ensure that Australia gets sustainable benefit from our marine estate, while protecting the things we all care about.
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The National Marine Science Committee is an advisory body linking high quality marine science and the sustainable growth and development of Australia’s blue economy. The Committee assists coordination and information-sharing between Australia's research institutions, universities, Commonwealth and State/Territory governments, and the broader Australian marine science community.
COMMITTEE CHAIR
Tony Worby
Director, Oceans And Atmosphere, CSIRO
NMSC SECRETARIAT
Shane.Fava@csiro.au
DOCUMENTS & IMAGES
All documents on this site remain the property of the relevant authors. These documents should be cited if used in research or for other purposes. All images on this website have been contributed by NMSC Members, or are fully licensed through Adobe Stock and Shutterstock.
