MNF Subscriber eNewsletter | November 2025
Welcome to the latest edition of the Marine National Facility (MNF) newsletter.
The past several months have again demonstrated the great importance and impact of the research we deliver, both for national and international benefit. Recent voyages, delivered in collaboration with our partners across the research sector, industry and government, support Australia’s efforts to help our Pacific neighbours build resilience to natural disasters and climate change and have increased our understanding and capability to manage the incredible biodiversity of the oceans and seas we share. This research makes a valuable contribution towards strengthening our regional scientific capacity while also safeguarding our prosperous blue economy, now estimated to contribute $229 billion annually in economic output for Australia.
In this newsletter, you can find more information about the important research and achievements made by the MNF and our research partners in our MNF Year in Review 2024-25. This report highlights the incredible and valuable work that has been delivered using MNF infrastructure and scientific services over the past year. This includes our significant contribution to increasing the area of seafloor mapped to a modern standard in Australia’s marine jurisdiction to 38.5% and the description of many new marine species to increase our knowledge of marine biodiversity.
I would like to thank all members of our MNF team, ship crew and research partners, both those on ship and on shore, who have contributed to the incredible achievements that were made in 2024-25. I would also like to specifically mention the team who have been working tirelessly to support the dry dock, middle of life refit and capability enhancement programs for our amazing research vessel, RV Investigator. Much of this work goes unseen but is instrumental in delivering the capability and capacity for the MNF to continue delivering cutting-edge research to meet the needs of the research and Australian community, now and into the future.
Integral to supporting this, the MNF Technology and Innovation Advisory Group (TIAG) recently met to discuss the potential capability and equipment uplift programs that will help increase our science productivity on board. TIAG discussed submissions made to the MNF through the ongoing ship and end‑user feedback surveys, to ensure the committee members have input into proposals before formal scorings and assessments are undertaken. This work is vital to ensuring we maintain a highly flexible and capable platform for multidisciplinary science.
On behalf of the TIAG and MNF, I would like to thank everyone who has provided feedback about the research capabilities needed from RV Investigator. The opportunity to provide feedback is ongoing and I’d encourage anyone who would like to provide input to use our Survey Form to make a submission.
Potentially the most important information for many, this newsletter includes the schedule for the 2026 Application Calls for grants of sea time on RV Investigator in 2028-29. This is your opportunity to access the scientific infrastructure and expertise of the MNF to support you in the planning and delivery of your marine and atmospheric research projects. I would encourage all those interested in applying to note these dates, download the calendar reminders and take up the opportunity provided to discuss your project proposals with the MNF team. For those in Hobart during December, this includes an opportunity to tour the ship to familiarise yourself with our capabilities and seek advice on the application process. For further information about this opportunity, please refer to 'Upcoming events' below.
I'd also like to draw your attention to the communique in this newsletter that summarises discussion from the 100th meeting of the MNF Steering Committee. This independent group has been an invaluable voice in guiding the MNF over the past 40 years to ensure we have a direct conduit to the expertise, expectations and advice from our stakeholders across research, industry, government and the wider community.
With that, I am pleased to share the latest MNF eNewsletter with you and hope you find the content informative and useful. For all those heading to sea, including on our upcoming 56-day Antarctic voyage, I wish you successful voyages with fair winds and following seas.
Have a very happy holiday season and stay safe.
Toni Moate
MNF Director
These are the key dates to add to your calendar before you head off on holidays:
*The 2027-28 Primary Voyage schedule will be released on the date that the Supplementary Application Call opens.
Don't miss the boat! Subscribe to the MNF Mailing List or visit Apply for sea time to keep up to date on these application calls and for information to help write your application.
Thinking of applying?
We’re here to help. If you’re considering applying, we strongly recommend contacting us beforehand to discuss your project proposal, requirements and equipment needs. Early engagement ensures your proposal is well-prepared and aligned with MNF capabilities.
Our ‘Year in Review’ provides a summary of the achievements of the MNF for each financial year and highlights the collaborative research that was delivered.
The MNF Year in Review 2024-25 highlights both the complexity and incredible achievements of the past year, as we continue to implement a program of capability enhancements on the vessel while delivering a diverse program of marine research, education and training.
Explore our collaborative discoveries and achievements in 2024-25
The 100th meeting of the Marine National Facility Steering Committee was held in Hobart on 23-24 July 2025. Topics discussed included health, safety and environment (HSE) matters, the Primary Application review process, the mid-cycle review of MNF 2030, and funding and optimising value of this nationally significant facility.
The communique includes an updated list of current committee members and thanks departing members for their valuable contributions to the MNF.
Several species new to science, described with the help of specimens collected from voyages of RV Investigator, have recently been announced.
This includes new species of deep-sea lanternshark and porcelain crab, both described with the help of specimens collected on the same voyage off Western Australia in 2022. These discoveries are incredibly important for the effective management and conservation of our marine parks and ecosystems.
Invitation to potential applicants to visit RV Investigator in Hobart
RV Investigator will be in port in Hobart for scheduled maintenance during December 2025. Potential applicants for sea time are invited to request a tour of the vessel during this period. This is a great opportunity to discuss your project proposal and learn more about the scientific services, capabilities and support we provide.
Tours will be offered where CSIRO staff and vessel availability permit.
Welcome to our newsletter feature where we highlight recent publications from research delivered using MNF infrastructure and data.
Potential of optical and ecological proxies to quantify phytoplankton carbon in oligotrophic waters
David Antoine, Chandanlal Parida and Camille Grimaldi| August 2025
Satellite ocean colour observations provide two proxies to estimate the phytoplankton carbon concentration, Cphyto, then used as input to models quantifying growth rates and primary production, namely the phytoplankton chlorophyll-a concentration, Chl-a, and the particulate backscattering coefficient, bbp. Here researchers use a data set from the eastern Indian Ocean that includes phytoplankton cell counts, phytoplankton pigments, particulate organic carbon (POC) and inherent optical properties (IOPs) to perform a comparative assessment of Cphyto derived from either Chl-a or bbp or cell counts combined with allometric relationships.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3993
In-situ sedimentary evidence of complex bottom currents at a modern deepwater seamount
Shannon Frey, Martin Jutzeler, Rebecca Carey and Peter Harris | August 2025
Interactions between deep-ocean currents and seafloor sediments create bedforms that are important for paleoenvironment reconstructions, resource exploration, and mapping ecosystems. Oceanographers recognize complex flow dynamics where deep ocean currents interact with submarine topography (ie seamounts) however the effects on below-wave base seafloor sediment remain unquantified. This study highlights that primary seafloor data can be quickly obscured, impeding modern data collection, subsequent hazard modelling, and paleoenvironment reconstruction.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02690-7
Are we missing your publications?
Visibility for your research outputs greatly assists the MNF in demonstrating the value that a dedicated blue-water research capability provides to the nation.
We encourage you to check your voyage publication list in our catalogue and submit any missing research publications from MNF voyages or using MNF data to MNF Reporting for Voyage Publications.
Acknowledging the MNF
Find out how to acknowledge the MNF for the research services we provide.
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The Marine National Facility is national research infrastructure supported by the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) and operated by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, on behalf of the nation.