Our ocean and coastal research provides scientific knowledge and tools to advise solutions that support sustainable development of Australia’s coastal and marine resources – including monitoring and mitigation of environmental impacts, observational and modelling capabilities – to assess and anticipate the dynamics and vulnerability of coastal assets, conserve marine biodiversity and support future blue industries.

We work with with Indigenous partners and national and international collaborators to solve important local and global challenges. These include coastal urbanisation and population growth, catchment degradation, habitat and biodiversity loss and climate change.

The research profiled here is across two Research Programs:

• The Coastal and Oceanic Systems Research Program uses a multi-disciplinary system approach to provide environmental intelligence to decision-makers facing challenges impacting our coasts and ocean. COS research is founded on leading developments in remote sensing, bio-optics, genomics and sensor technologies that observe the physical and biological properties of the marine environment. Information is synthesised using a range of analytical approaches including coupled hydrodynamic-ecological models and machine learning frameworks and is delivered through advanced data platforms. Our science is used by decision-makers in environmental management, blue carbon assessment, ecological restoration and operational situational awareness.

• The Sustainable Marine Futures Research Program seeks to undertake rapid, scalable and cost-effective data collection, develop streamlined processing methods, and deliver timely scientific knowledge to advise solutions that support sustainable development of Australia’s coastal and marine resources without compromising the health of marine biodiversity. Our future-focused approach is supported by advanced ecosystem modelling and will ensure long-term sustainability solutions are available for marine resource management in our rapidly changing region. We collaborate with Indigenous partners and various national and international sectors in fisheries and conservation. This collaboration, combined with our science, helps us solve important local and global challenges such as ocean crowding, habitat and biodiversity loss, and climate change. 

Core capabilities include

• Hydrodynamic, biogeochemical and socio-ecological modelling
• Coastal remote sensing of water quality, bathymetry and habitats​
• Observing systems development including bio-optics, acoustics and eco-genomics
• Benthic and pelagic ecology of temperate and tropical coastal ecosystems​
• Biogeochemical analyses and processes including contaminants, phytoplankton biochemistry and ecology and food ​
• Marine resource assessment, including spatial marine planning and multiple-use management​
• Coastal informatics and visualisation of complex data
• Quantitative benthic and pelagic ecology including stock assessment, fish biogeography and spatial dynamics for ecosystem characterization
• Application and development of observational technologies, including genomics, optical-acoustic systems and underwater visual systems
• Marine resource economics, including statistical and risk-based approaches for resource management
• Development and application of appropriate modelling tools to support tactical and strategic decisions of our clients for the appropriate management of our marine ecosystems. Our spectrum of modelling tools ranges from simple to highly complex with the latter including a ‘whole of system’ model that incorporates coupled biophysical and socioeconomic components.