Research

The State is committed to the sustainable development of its marine resources and to the conservation of its biodiversity, especially in marine protected areas like the Ningaloo Marine Park. Several research areas have been identified, mutually interlinked by three integrating science themes of ocean systems forecasting, biodiversity conservation and natural resources development and management.

These interlinked science themes underpin a cluster of output-focused ‘Research Nodes’ with real collaboration, critical mass and a world class science base. Each Node is focusing on a particular high pay-off area of research covering these overarching themes and will be driven by key government policy issues to provide outcomes of benefit to Western Australia through economic, environmental and social dividends.

The Institution’s current marine research science emphasis is on the following six interlinked key areas:

• Strategic Research on Western Australian Marine Ecosystems
• Climate Processes, Predictability and Impacts in a warming Indian Ocean
• Managing and Conserving the Marine State:  Best practice management & underpinning science
• Sustainable Marine Ecosystems: Ecologically Sustainable Development for the Marine State’s Fisheries
• Marine Biodiscovery, Biotechnology & Aquaculture: the Blue Farm
• Ocean Science for Offshore and Coastal Engineering

Current quick overview of WAMSI projects and sub-projects