The healthy growth of Australia's multimillion dollar marine tourism industry could become just another South Sea Bubble if support from science and technology is not maintained, a National Science Briefing was told in Canberra today

Professor Chris Crossland, Director of the CRC Reef Research Centre told the Briefing that government must continue support for science and technology in partnership with the Australian tourism industry to ensure that it remained globally competitive.

"The recent slowdown in industry growth from ten to five percent may be a cautionary signal," Professor Crossland said.

"Without the right level of science and technology, the marine tourism industry could eventually become just another South Sea Bubble rather than advancing to be of even greater importance to our national economy as a dollar earner and employer.

"Science and technology are delivering the modern high speed vessels, the pontoons and submersibles that underpin the industry. At the same time, they provide the techniques to evaluate and manage the environmental impacts of tourism.

"Results so far indicate that high tech pontoons and the fast catamarans that carry thousands of tourists per day to the Reef are causing no adverse environmental impact, but this will only continue if tourist industry staff can base their explanations to tourists on science.

"The partnerships forged between the major industries on the Great Barrier Reef - tourism, fishing and shipping - and science and management agencies, are leading to better self monitoring and industry codes of practice, to yield cost-benefits through increased self regulation rather than government surveillance," Prof Crossland said.

Mr Rob Male, Woodside Petroleum, told the Briefing that small Australian companies offering specialised science-based services were becoming successful in offshore exploration markets. They were in particular demand for their expertise in offshore structures, weather forecasting and ship routing.

The companies usually had an entrepreneurial founder with the right technical skills. Their access to high quality Australian research and development institutions such as CSIRO and the Universities was fundamental to their success.

Mr Peter Cochrane, Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, told the Briefing that without science Australia would not have a competitive energy sector. Australia would face a higher import bill, lower employment, reduced prospects for growth and a lower standard of living.

"Governments have a major responsibility for Australia's skill base and its research and development capability, with industry working closely with R&D providers to maintain and build the skill and technology edge that keeps us competitive," he said.

Further information :
Professor Chris Crossland 018 182330
Mr Rob Male 08 9224 5303
Mr Peter Cochrane 02 6247 0960