State Government and CSIRO in unique marine research partnership

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An Australian-first research partnership launched in Sydney today will help ensure the future of unique marine ecosystems along the NSW coast.

The five-year flagship partnership, between the State Government and the CSIRO, will link research specialists in marine ecosystems with a range of Government agencies involved in coastal and marine management.

The program was launched in Darling Harbour today by NSW Department of Primary Industries and the CSIRO.

The research will help decision-makers strike an appropriate balance between the development of vital coastal industries and the environment.

Dr Tony Haymet, CSIRO's chief of marine research, said the program would aim to model and predict how intricate marine ecosystems will react to the impact of various ocean-based activities.

"Ecosystem-based management will be the way of the future," Dr Haymet said.

"An ecosystem in trouble would always struggle to fully support aquatic industries and recreation.

"This research program will involve applying a series of strategies that maintain the function of ecosystems and allow for human use."

The CSIRO's Craig Roy, director of the Wealth from Oceans Flagship which will oversee this five-year research project, said it was an important milestone.

"A major theme of the Flagship is to build practical scientific support for integrated marine regional development and conservation policies," Mr Roy said.

"This partnership is a major step towards this goal."

The project will be backed by a range of researchers and support staff at the NSW Department of Primary Industries' Cronulla office, and the CSIRO in Hobart.

It will examine a range of issues, including:

Management of rural landscapes and their impacts on aquatic systems that may affect fisheries, aquaculture and marine tourism;
Links between regional oceanography and the East Australian Current, with climate, industry production and development.
Risk assessment of activities which compromise the quality of ecosystems
Links between sustainable farmland in the Clarence, Hunter and Pittwater catchments and downstream fisheries production.