Edwards launches $80million marine science institute

5/6/05 Environment and Science Minister Judy Edwards today marked World Environment Day with the launch of an $80million Western Australian Marine Science Institute.

5/6/05
Environment and Science Minister Judy Edwards today marked World Environment Day with the launch of an $80million Western Australian Marine Science Institute.
Dr Edwards said the institute was a major part of the State Government's environmental and science initiatives in the lead-up to the February election.
It would build on other initiatives the Government had taken in respect to marine conservation and scientific research.
"WA's marine environment is globally significant, as the temperate waters off the west coast are one of the world's 18 key marine biodiversity 'hotspots' and are ranked the second highest area for species that occur nowhere else," the Minister said.
"We are fortunate that our marine environment is in a relatively healthy condition and is one of the least disturbed marine environments on earth.
"However, the pressure on our marine resources is increasing dramatically and knowledge of the State's vast marine environment and its resources is extremely limited.
"The marine environment is also a strong and rapidly growing part of the State economy and is of huge cultural and recreational significance to Western Australians.
"Opportunities for future growth of the marine-based economy also are of great significance to the State and the community has an increasing expectation for high quality environmental management and marine conservation.
"So it is crucial for both the conservation and sustainable development of the marine environment that we begin to develop a better understanding of what is there, how it functions naturally and the potential short and long-term implications of human use."
Dr Edwards said the Government was making a long-term commitment to build a world class marine science capacity that could help unlock the economic benefits that the marine environment could provide, while ensuring that the marine environment was protected now and for future generations.
"The WA Marine Science Institution - or WAMSI - is a major new vehicle to significantly boost the State's marine science capacity," she said.
"The institute is the second major centre funded through the WA Major Research Facility Program to facilitate the establishment of large, international-class research centres to build the State's research capability in areas of strategic importance.
"The major partners of WAMSI are the State Government agencies across the conservation, fisheries, environment, industry and resources portfolios, CSIRO, the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia, together with Woodside Energy Limited and the Bureau of Meteorology.
"In addition to the State Government's direct input of $21million, the commitment of significant additional resources by the WAMSI partner organisations brings the total value of the institution at its establishment to about $80million."
Dr Edwards said WAMSI would draw together the existing areas of research strength and build on that strong foundation with the development of additional, world-class marine science capability.
The institute will drive marine research through three interlinked science themes:

  • oceans systems forecasting;
  • biodiversity conservation; and
  • natural resources development and management.
The strength achieved through WAMSI will deliver benefits to WA through knowledge and innovations that will contribute to:
  • the development of policy for the conservation of WA's biodiversity and marine tourism icons;
  • tools for 'best practice' management of marine resources and the sustainable development of marine industries;
  • improved safety and reliability in offshore engineering design and operations; and
  • improved forecasting of WA climate variability and change.
The institute will be chaired by former Environmental Protection Authority chairman and former Fisheries Department CEO, Bernard Bowen. The executive director will be Dr John Keesing of CSIRO, who also is the State Government's Office of Science and Innovation research director.
Dr Edwards said WA's chief scientist, Dr Bruce Hobbs, would establish a high level, independent marine science reference panel to advise Government on effective marine conservation issues including sanctuaries.
Minister's Office - 9220 5050