National marine research infrastructure: an enabler for Australia’s sustainable ocean future
5 affiliations
- 1University of Tasmania
- 2CSIRO
- 3South Australian Research and Development Institute
- 4James Cook University
- 5The University of Queensland
Abstract
Australia’s oceans face rapid climate and coastal changes, impacting national productivity, prosperity, security, and well-being. Healthy, resilient, and sustainably managed oceans require future-ready, national marine research infrastructure to support maritime industries, biodiversity conservation, climate forecasting and adaptation, and coastal development. Marine research infrastructure provides the foundations for scientific discovery, international collaboration, knowledge exchange across sectors, marine STEM training, and more. Over the past 10 years, national marine research infrastructure has been strengthened through strategic national-scale investments, improved coordination, and deployment of cutting-edge technologies. However, substantial challenges remain that constrain Australia’s sovereign capability, maritime security, economic progress, leadership, and preparedness for emerging challenges. This paper identifies the current state of Australia’s marine research infrastructure, examines key barriers and enablers, and outlines priority actions for the next decade to meet current and growing needs. Key actions to deliver and sustain a future-ready marine research infrastructure include embedding Indigenous priorities and rights in planning and use, scaling-up and securing long-term research vessel capability, modernising research infrastructure, maintaining and expanding observing systems to fill critical gaps, exploring sovereign satellite capacity, advancing sensor technologies, strengthening coordination and governance across research infrastructure capabilities, and building a skilled workforce.
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BibTeX
@article{heupel2026national,
title = {{National marine research infrastructure: an enabler for Australia’s sustainable ocean future}},
author = {Michelle RaNae Heupel and Ilona C. Stobutzki and Mike A. Steer and Jennifer M. Donelson and Sandya Nishanthi Gunasekara and Fabrice R. A. Jaine and Danielle Smith and Rebecca Zitoun},
journal = {Australian Journal of Maritime \& Ocean Affairs},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1080/18366503.2026.2680822},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/18366503.2026.2680822},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - National marine research infrastructure: an enabler for Australia’s sustainable ocean future
AU - Michelle RaNae Heupel
AU - Ilona C. Stobutzki
AU - Mike A. Steer
AU - Jennifer M. Donelson
AU - Sandya Nishanthi Gunasekara
AU - Fabrice R. A. Jaine
AU - Danielle Smith
AU - Rebecca Zitoun
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/02
JO - Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs
DO - 10.1080/18366503.2026.2680822
UR - https://doi.org/10.1080/18366503.2026.2680822
AB - Australia’s oceans face rapid climate and coastal changes, impacting national productivity, prosperity, security, and well-being. Healthy, resilient, and sustainably managed oceans require future-ready, national marine research infrastructure to support maritime industries, biodiversity conservation, climate forecasting and adaptation, and coastal development. Marine research infrastructure provides the foundations for scientific discovery, international collaboration, knowledge exchange across sectors, marine STEM training, and more. Over the past 10 years, national marine research infrastructure has been strengthened through strategic national-scale investments, improved coordination, and deployment of cutting-edge technologies. However, substantial challenges remain that constrain Australia’s sovereign capability, maritime security, economic progress, leadership, and preparedness for emerging challenges. This paper identifies the current state of Australia’s marine research infrastructure, examines key barriers and enablers, and outlines priority actions for the next decade to meet current and growing needs. Key actions to deliver and sustain a future-ready marine research infrastructure include embedding Indigenous priorities and rights in planning and use, scaling-up and securing long-term research vessel capability, modernising research infrastructure, maintaining and expanding observing systems to fill critical gaps, exploring sovereign satellite capacity, advancing sensor technologies, strengthening coordination and governance across research infrastructure capabilities, and building a skilled workforce.
SN - 1836-6503
SN - 2333-6498
ER -