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CSIRO CORPORATE MEDIA RELEASE 95/84

AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AGREE ON NEW ERA OF MARINE SCIENCE CO-OPERATION

A two day meeting between high-level marine scientists from Australia and New Zealand has concluded in Hobart with agreement to pursue closer collaboration on a wide range of marine isuues.

The Australian scientists were lead by Dr Roy Green, CSIRO's Chief Executive and Chairman of the Heads of Marine Agencies Group.

The New Zealand delegation was headed by Dr Gerald Rys, Assistant Chief Scientist of the New Zealand Ministry of Research Science and Technology.

The meeting was chaired by Dr Angus McEwan, Senior Science Adviser within the CSIRO Division of Oceanography.

Dr McEwan and Dr Rys said many opportunities for closer collaboration, including some involving new research programs and the sharing of facilities and expertise, were identified during the meeting at the CSIRO Marine Laboratories in Hobart.

Opportunities to work together include -

• risk analysis and other sophisticated methods applied to assessment of major common fish stocks, including Southern Bluefin Tuna and By-catch issues such as the danger of long-lining to albatross;

• the detection and prevention of introduced marine pests and the development of management strategies for their control;

• research on the influence of the regional oceans upon climate change and variability;

• the use and deployment of research vessels and expensive oceanographic equipment;

• techniques for the establishment of Marine Protected Areas.

Other oceanographic issues were -

• the combination of observations and mathematical modelling in a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of the Tasman Sea;

• common methods in the study of estuarine regions;

• a regional database for identification of sources of oil in the marine environment;

• joint involvement in ocean observing systems and mutual national interest in international marine science programs.

• Australia and New Zealand also agreed to jointly assess scientific issues relating to resource potential in the Tasman Sea as well as to co-ordinate their efforts in the conservation of marine mammals of the Southern Ocean.

In all of the subject areas, experts and point of contact for future development of joint plans were identified, and the meeting concluded with agreement to exchange information on marine science expertise.

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