The Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) is a national non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting marine science and coordinating discussion and debate of marine issues in Australia. It aims to increase public awareness of the importance of marine science and of the great diversity of work undertaken by marine scientists. In addition, AMSA strives to improve the public's image of marine scientists and to forward their interests generally. AMSA plays an important role in commenting on marine issues and in debate of marine policy at state and national levels. The Association is represented on the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies, which also plays an active role in developing science policy. AMSA has branches in every state, and the Australian Physical Oceanography Division is a formal division of the parent body.
While the majority of the membership are professional scientists and educators, a significant number are students and interested lay persons. Through its annual scientific conference and quarterly Bulletin, AMSA facilitates liason and interaction among workers from a wide variety of disciplines in marine science in scattered institutions and centres. The Bulletin keeps members up-to-date with significant national and international news, happenings and issues in marine science, new book and journal publications, notices and updates of national and international conferences, and news of the state branches.