WAMSI launch - $21M investment in marine science

18 May 2007

Better science for better decisions  

A $21 million, five-year marine science research joint Western Australia-based venture between 14 state, federal, industry and tertiary organisations was launched by Premier Alan Carpenter today.

The venture will be known as the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI). It will build on the success of the recently-completed five-year Strategic Research Fund for the Marine Environment (SRFME).

Chairman of the new WAMSI Board, Dr Bernard Bowen, said the diversity of WA's coastal and marine environments was known the world over.

"Western Australians have a very strong affinity to the coastline and appreciate its uniqueness as evidenced by places like the Ningaloo Marine Park and the Shark Bay Marine Park and World Heritage Area," he said.

By establishing WAMSI, WA would lead the way in establishing multidisciplinary joint venture marine science projects involving a national spread of marine science capacity.

"Nowhere else in Australia has this kind of forward thinking, collaborative approach to marine issues occurred, and the long-term benefits to WA will be immense," Dr Bowen said.

"It demonstrates the State Government’s commitment to ensuring that the capacity for marine science in WA is maintained and grows to ensure that future planning is underpinned by good science outcomes."

He said the strength of this partnership would deliver immense value to WA and Australia.

Dr Bowen said WA was already the centre of world class research in some areas of marine science.

"This was no doubt a factor in the decision by State Government to add to that research capacity and to expand to new areas in an integrated manner.

"It is a commitment to bring together scientists from all of the major research agencies operating in WA to undertake strategic marine research and develop knowledge essential to the sustainable development of the State,” he said.

The WAMSI Launch is the beginning of a new chapter in WA marine science.
More information can be found at: www.wamsi.org.au

Pictured at the launch were Dr Bowen (left) and WAMSI's Chief Executive Officer, Dr Steve Blake.