A turning of the tide
14 October 2008
Embargoed 9:00 am WST
The Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) today released a report A turning of the tide: science for decisions in the Kimberley-Browse marine region authored by Professor Mike Wood and Dr Des Mills.
“It is rare for leaders to face decisions about the future as complex as those involving the cultural, environmental, economic and social values in this region,” independent Chairman of WAMSI’s Board of Directors, Dr Peter Rogers, said.
“Scientific information should be the lifeblood of one of the last great wild and rugged marine regions on earth – a region where natural gas processing, tourism, fishing, infrastructure and port developments will need to co-exist.
“The absence of regional marine and coastal research could ultimately be to the detriment of the environmental, economic, social and cultural values of the region. It will be most marked in the Kimberley-Browse marine region which historically has limited marine biodiversity data,” he said.
A turning of the tide: science for decisions in the Kimberley-Browse marine region has recommended an injection of $110 million in research funds from State Government, Commonwealth Government and the private sector over a seven-year period.
“Independent science will give the community information on likely climate change impacts, biodiversity, cultural and heritage values, fisheries, the management of sustainable and productive industry, innovative marine technology and marine planning,” Dr Rogers said.
“It’s vital that we further integrate traditional Aboriginal knowledge with western science if we are to reliably inform developments now on the table. “Unfortunately the cost of research in the Kimberley is estimated to be two to three times greater than the cost of research elsewhere, based on its location.”
WAMSI commissioned the independent report as a means of providing input to government, industry and the community for their consideration of the marine science needs for the Kimberley-Browse region.
Professor Wood is from the School of Business, University of Notre Dame, and Dr Mills is a private environmental consultant.
Contacts: Dr Peter Rogers [WAMSI Chairman] on 0419 939 135 or Sue McKenna [WAMSI Communications] on 0424 196 771 or 6488 4574
Dr Rogers, the WAMSI Chairman, will be available for interview after the launch.
Professor Mike Wood (report consultant) and Dr Ian Poiner (Chief Executive Officer, Australian Institute of Marine Science and WAMSI Board member) will join Dr Rogers to answer questions at the report’s launch.