Message from the Director

Flagship Outreach

The importance of ocean research and global oceanographic networks was highlighted recently at the international ‘Oceans and the World’s Future’ Convocation. The Convocation was sponsored by the International Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences (CAETS) in Cairns in July 2005, and examined the scientific, technological and engineering issues that link the world’s future with our oceans. 

The Convocation brought together world experts from more than 20 countries in the disciplines of ocean science, technology and related industries including food, aquaculture, water, oil and gas, mining, climate, shipping and tourism.  

CSIRO, through the Wealth from Oceans Flagship, was a major supporter of the Convocation. As Flagship Director I was privileged to be invited to address this eminent group as part of the panel discussion on ‘Science, technology and engineering for sustainable use of the oceans’. Professor Russell Reichelt, Chief Executive Officer, CRC Reef Research Centre and Chair of the Flagship Advisory Committee, was also a panellist at the Convocation.

The outcomes of the convocation provide a guide for the future uses and management of our oceans – the CEATS statement highlights the ‘world common’ nature of our oceans and amplifies the inescapable international responsibility for what happens in and to the oceans. The Convocation recommendations provide high level support for the investments of the Flagship with ocean modelling, climate change and variability, deepwater offshore oil and gas, seabed minerals, adaptive management of the marine environment and coastal sciences all featuring prominately in the CAETS statement. A copy of the full CAETS statement on Oceans and the World’s Future can be found at www.atse.org.au/index.php?sectionid=720

Also in July, the Flagship participated at the Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) conference in Darwin. AMSA is Australia’s leading national scientific marine forum. Wealth from Oceans Flagship Science Coordinator, Dr Kate Wilson, gave a keynote address at a plenary session outlining the Flagship’s portfolio and developments, including Bluelink, climate forecasting, multiple-use management of our coastal regions and details of the Collaboration Fund. Dr Wilson joined the Flagship in June and you can read her profile in ‘Meet the Scientist’ in this newsletter.

Further advancing Australia’s research efforts, Dr Brendan Nelson, the Minister for Education Science and Training, has announced the launch of CSIRO's $97 million Flagship Collaboration Fund, which will encourage cooperative research between universities, CSIRO and other research agencies. Applications for Postgraduate Scholarships and Flagship Fellowships are now open for commencement in 2006.  Further details of the Collaboration Fund are outlined in this newsletter and also on the CSIRO website at http://www.csiro.au/Flagships_Collaboration

Also in this Update newsletter we report on the Deep Blue Minerals Workshop. This workshop provided a forum for debate and discussion on a high potential research area – the exploration of our seabed and consideration of how new R & D could stimulate opportunities for an emerging seafloor minerals industry. 

I trust you enjoy catching up with our latest developments and would be pleased to receive your feedback.

Craig Roy
Director, Wealth from Oceans Flagship

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Meet the Scientist

About this email

The Wealth from Oceans Flagship is a CSIRO initiative and part of the National Research Flagships program that aims to deliver scientific solutions to advance Australia's most important national objectives. One of the largest scientific initiatives ever mounted in Australia, it aligns closely with the Federal Government's National Research Priorities. The initiative brings together our national research resources to deliver breakthroughs in fields ranging from healthcare to light metals and the environment.