Australia has one of the world’s largest marine estates, spanning a wide latitudinal range with diverse habitats, high biodiversity, and high levels of endemism. The marine estate is used by varied industries, as well as traditional, cultural, scientific and recreational uses; and Australia’s blue economy is growing at twice the rate of the GDP. However, many marine ecosystems are in extensive decline, with continued and increasingly widespread degradation of Australia’s marine environment expected under a business-as-usual approach. Addressing these challenges will require improved coordination and cooperation within and across jurisdictions. It will also require innovations in marine technology, improved planning and management frameworks, integration of marine observation systems, and improved access to and exchange of ocean knowledge. All of this is underpinned by an engaged, collaborative and dynamic Australian marine science community.
The Australian Marine Sciences Association Inc. (AMSA) is Australia’s peak body for professional marine scientists from all disciplines and has promoted marine science in Australia since its foundation in 1962. The AMSA Strategy 2022-2032 sets out AMSA’s strategic direction for its seventh decade. The plan is at a high level, thus retaining operational flexibility for the dynamic nature of AMSA’s national council, committees, and members, and their associated capabilities and priorities.