A dolphin as seen from a ship's bow, Indian Ocean, Western Australia.

WA peak marine research group issues report

The Strategic Research Fund for the Marine Environment (SRFME) issued its final report in February, providing a valuable compendium of the marine research it has conducted in Western Australia.

SRFME was a six-year (2001-2006), $20 million joint venture between CSIRO and the Western Australia Government.

SRFME aimed at building capability and capacity in marine science in Western Australia, through the reestablishment of CSIRO's marine research capability that state, while facilitating strong collaboration among the Western Australian marine science community.

"During the lifetime of SRFME, CSIRO's strategic marine research capability in WA grew by about 500 per cent," says SRFME Research Director Dr John Keesing.

"The formation of CSIRO Wealth from Oceans Flagship created another valuable partner. A vibrant and effective culture of cooperation was established with collaborators in Western Australian universities, State Agencies and the Museum.

"Together, this diverse group of marine researchers will form the core of the new Western Australian Marine Research Institute. SFRME has been a most valuable stepping stone into the future for Western Australia."

SRFME has also facilitated the training of a significant number of our younger scientists and published research findings. Under the SRFME program, 12 PhD students have been trained and have moved on to positions with the WA universities and other research bodies, in addition to generating 140 publications. In 2005, SRFME initiated the first international conference on Whale Sharks in Perth, raising the awareness of these extraordinary sharks and advancing our knowledge in this area.

Dr John Keesing, SRFME Research Director

Following the success of SRFME achieving its aims, the WA State Government has recently announced investment of a further $21 million to establish the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI).

The report says this demonstrates the government's commitment to ensuring the capability and capacity for marine science in Western Australia is maintained and grown. Through WAMSI the strategic research needs of the State will continue to be addressed, and strong partnerships and research impetus established through SRFME will be maintained.

Dr Kate Wilson, Science Coordinator with the Wealth from Oceans Flagship says the formation of the SRFME partnership recognised the value of strategic research collaborations in delivering long-term benefits to WA.

According to Dr Wilson, the success of this collaboration has laid the foundation for the ongoing future involvement for the Wealth from Oceans Flagship with Western Australia to address the larger marine issues to the benefit of WA and Australia in the bigger picture.

Dr Keesing emphasised the importance of basic research, such as that carried out in SRFME, which explored the marine environment, documented its biodiversity and measured key physical, chemical, biological and ecological attributes.

"Making decisions about management, development and conservation of the marine environment without such information was like making decisions blindfolded. There are still too many parts of the Western Australian marine environment for which we lack this fundamental basic information," says Dr Keesing.

Read the Strategic Research Fund for the Marine Environment report.
 

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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.

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