MARINE NATIONAL FACILITY

Australia has the third largest marine estate of any nation. At 14 million sq km, it is more than twice the size of the Australian continent, and largely unexplored. These vast blue-water expanses are a source of food, minerals and energy, and are a major driver of our climate. Ocean-based industries contribute more than 10 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product — currently about $44 billion but estimated to increase to around $100 billion by 2025 — yet their potential has barely been tapped. Regions that have a high environmental value, such as the Great Barrier Reef, support communities through the generation of tourist income. Conservation plays a critical role in protecting biodiversity and fishing stocks in these areas. Research expands our understanding of the marine environment and improves our ability to manage and conserve it effectively.

MARINE RESEARCH AND THE MNF

Proper conservation and management of this valuable asset requires ongoing, high-level research which is beyond the means of individual Australian scientific organisations. For this reason, the Marine National Facility (MNF) was established in 1984, and it remains Australia’s only dedicated blue-water science facility. Funded by the Australian Government, the MNF is owned and operated by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) under the oversight