National Marine Science Strategy 2026–36: Building Blue Futures

The Strategy 2026–2036 

Co-developed with input from across Australia’s marine science, policy, and industry communities, the Strategy provides a coordinated national vision to guide investment in research, infrastructure, and capability development over the coming decade. It aims to support the sustainable use and protection of our oceans, while delivering cultural, environmental, and economic benefits for Australia and the region.

Download the full Strategy here
Download the Strategy Summary here

This document should be attributed as: National Marine Science Committee, 2026. National Marine Science Strategy 2026–36: Building Blue Futures (https://www.marinescience.net.au/national-marine-science-strategy-2026-36). ISBN 978-1-7645514-0-3 (print), 978-1-7645514-1-0 (online).

 

 

NMSC Strategy 2026-36 - Digital (1)_Page_01

Ambitions

The Strategy 2026–36 sets seven national ambitions for coordinated action to strengthen impact through collaborative, multidisciplinary, actionable and decision-ready marine science.

  • Icon_Ambition First Nat

    First Nations Knowledge, Innovation and Leadership

    Recognise, respect and facilitate First Nations knowledge systems to support sustainable sea CountryName of the element

  • Icon_Ambition Climate

    Climate Change Prediction and Impacts

    Strengthen Australia’s capability to predict climate change and its impacts to support decisions

  • Icon_Ambition Net Zero

    Climate Change Mitigation and Net Zero 2050

    Progress toward net-zero emissions by 2050 through coordinated national climate mitigation

  • Icon_Ambition Coastal Zone

    Our Dynamic Coastal Zone

    Boost coastal resilience through nationally coordinated marine and coastal science

  • Icon_Ambition Biodiversity

    Ocean Health, Biodiversity and Climate Adaptation

    Rebuild and maintain marine biodiversity and ecosystem health

  • Icon_Ambition MSecurity

    Maritime Sovereignty, Security and Safety

    Fortify maritime security, sovereignty and safety

  • Icon_Ambition Blue Econ

    A Thriving Blue Economy

    Facilitate a thriving and vibrant blue economy in a healthy ocean

Foundational Capabilities

Achieving the Strategy’s ambitions requires strong, coordinated research infrastructure, people and partnerships. Together, these capabilities enable high-quality evidence, cross-disciplinary knowledge and informed, long-term decision-making.

Australian Network

Physical and Digital Research Infrastructure

Expanding marine and climate observations

Developing a coordinated, multi-decadal plan for Australia’s research vessel fleet

Accelerating innovation and adoption of emerging and existing technologies

Implementing a federated, open-access national marine data system

Strengthening and expanding our national integrated modelling capability

Sustaining investment in high-performance computing and data storage

People and Partnerships

Incorporating social sciences in large-scale research programs and projects

Scaling and embedding a fit-for-purpose, multi-dimensional ocean accounting framework

Enhancing Australia’s marine workforce

Strengthening national collaboration by leveraging existing large-scale partnership

Establishing a national, consistent approach to ocean literacy

Building a robust science communication capability

Videos

NMSC Strategy Launch Video

NMSC Strategy Black Paper Video

Pages

Home

About Us

National Marine Science Strategy

Midway Point

National Marine Science Plan

Publications & Resources

NMSC Chair and Deputy

Chair: Dr Sue Barrell AO FTSE, Independent

Deputy Chair: Dr Lyndon Llewellyn, Independent

NMSC secretariat

Dr. Rebecca Zitoun secretariat@marinescience.net.au

Documents and images

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