Presentation to the joint meeting of the Australian Meteorological - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Presentation to the joint meeting of the Australian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (AMOS) & the Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) Steve Blake, CEO, WAMSI 29 Feb 2012

Overview of talk  Brief history - WAMSI 1 establishment  WAMSI 1 high-level achievements  WAMSI 2  Ongoing challenges for WAMSI/ Marine Science in WA Caveat: WAMSI fully acknowledges the broad spectrum of marine, coastal and climate science activities underway in WA

WAMSI right now! “ Perfect Storm ” WAMSI 1 completed [end 2011] WAMSI 2 Kimberley Science Planning WAMSI 2 Dredging Science Planning WAMSI 2+ MRI decision pending – Knowledge for Marine Resource Decisions

Brief history of WAMSI  Mission : WAMSI will establish a world leading research capacity that underpins the conservation and sustainable management of the marine environment - and its resources - for the economic, social and environmental benefit of the State of Western Australia & all Australians  Vision: To improve knowledge & understanding of Western Australia’s marine environment for better resource development, management & conservation outcomes

WAMSI purpose “bring together marine researchers with differing disciplines & backgrounds to build on the strong marine research capacity already in the State & to pursue world class marine science, technology, education & training for the economic, social & environmental benefit of the State of WA” Major Strategic Objectives  Strengthen coordination & capacity  Transfer of research outputs into outcomes for take-up

Schematic: Pathways to Adoption Broader Stakeholder Group including General Public Science uptake Key Stakeholders Key Stakeholders Funders consideration Pathways to Adoption Science QA/QC + ? ? ? Synthesis + Reporting Science Science Science Science Science Delivery Delivery Delivery Delivery Delivery Agency Agency Agency Agency

Schematic: Pathways to Adoption Broader Stakeholder Group including General Public Science uptake Key Stakeholders Key Stakeholders Funders consideration Pathways to Adoption Science QA/QC + Independent Honest Synthesis + Broker Role Reporting Science Science Science Science Science Delivery Delivery Delivery Delivery Delivery Agency Agency Agency Agency

Target Outcomes Improved coordination of marine science in WA 1. Improved understanding of marine ecosystems 2. WA Enhanced predictive capacity to model natural & 3. anthropogenic effects Improved management decision making from 4. outputs Ongoing investment in WAMSI & value recognised 5.

19 Dec 2009 WAMSI Strategic Plan 2010-2014 2014 Targets 2010 Milestones 2014 Outcomes Increasing no. of externally funded projects Facilitating State, National Increasing involvement in external Programs & International agendas Creating linkages across all three tiers 1. Secured “ in principle ” agreement for Integration & reference Buy & supply side see WAMSI as honest broker WAMSI 2 & funding commitment point for WA ’ s strategic WAMSI seen as the “ go-to” body for advice Independent strategic science highly valued marine science priorities 2. Key WAMSI 1 science outcomes being realised Quality outputs that WAMSI science informing decisions are relevant & influence Government seeking advice 3. Utilisation of current project outputs in Industry seeking advice decision making policy & management Next generation of Good mid-career researcher opportunities in WA 4. Science Plan for WAMSI 2 in the NW Increasing numbers of marine scientists in WA marine scientists being developed in association with key WA, the “place to be” for marine science stakeholders incl. Indigenous groups Collaborative & multi- Increasing breadth & depth of collaboration 5. Becoming the WA strategic marine disciplinary approach WAMSI the focus for the “ hard to do ” projects science focal point of reference Project & team development skills in demand to marine science delivery 6. Ongoing focus on leaving a marine data Optimal use & investment Increased utilisation levels of shared facilities & information management legacy Number of inter-institutional projects increasing in shared infrastructure New opportunities presented to partners Leadership & stewardship Recognised leaders in strategic marine science & program development in WA in marine science delivery Facilitation & coordination role highly valued Pathways Highly Quality Facilitated Open Leveraging Showcase Independent Cross– skilled benchmarked knowledge information infrastructure science science well sectoral workforce science exchange Access & investment uptake packaged collaborations

Brief history of WAMSI 1  Continuation of approach first started in SRFME  Context:  Lack of regional contextual information;  One third of Australian coast;  A need to develop a critical mass of expertise & skilled people;  Growing pains [Industry, population, tourism etc];  More extremes of climate variability

Brief history of WAMSI 1  Original Business Plan – est. 2005  3 WAMSI Critical Success Factors 2006 – 2011 : Critical Success Factor 1: Improved understanding of the marine & coastal ecosystems of WA Critical Success Factor 2: Improved coordination of marine science activities in WA Critical Success Factor 3: Dynamic Joint Venture partnership with a secure future

Brief history of WAMSI 1 WAMSI approach  Reducing the total cost of future research for specific new development & planning initiatives;  Co-investment = share & reduce costs to all;  Facilitates timely, less risk adverse & more comprehensive decision making;  Enlarges, consolidates & improves access to all relevant data;  Better decisions & improved outcomes

Themes and Nodes Ocean Systems Biodiversity Natural Resource Forecasting Conservation Management Node 1 Node 2 Node 3 Node 4 Node 5 Node 6 Marine Climate Managing Sustainable Marine Marine ecosystems processes, and ecosystems biodiscovery, science for science predictability conserving for offshore and biotechnology and impacts the marine sustainable and coastal estate fisheries aquaculture engineering Integrated and collaborative research

Western Australia’s Maritime Estate

WAMSI 1 Statistics Operated mid 2006 – end 2011; 250 scientists, 35 PhDs & 4 post-docs to-date; 28 Major Projects – across 6 Nodes; $87 + $5 million/ 5 years 36 public science fora/ symposia/ conferences

Selected Research Highlights  Ningaloo Marine Park  Offshore and Coastal Engineering  Oceanography and Climate  Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management  Biodiscovery and Biotechnology  Data & Information Management

Ningaloo Marine Park  Iconic place  Significant research (~ GBR)  Significant Co-Investment (Collaboration Cluster and others)  $5million to ~ $35 million  150+ projects  ~ 80 scientists/ 12+ institutions  Relevant science addressing management needs in NMP MP Image: DEC

NMP - Better Understanding  Physical structure and processes  Spatial distribution of key habitats  Diversity, abundance and distribution of key species Image: AIMS  Ecological and and physical processes that feed and sustain Image: M.Meekan AIMS the reef system  Human use – tourism and Image: WATC recreation Image: WATC

NMP - Key Outcomes Increased capacity:  To identify and manage human uses and to predict risks, including climate change  To model future use and impact scenarios  To develop community understanding and support  To provide effective and efficient planning and management of State conservation programs and marine reserves Image: DEC

Offshore & Coastal Engineering • Understanding the physical oceanographic processes across NW Shelf to deep water to Image: UWA • model loadings on structures from tides and internal waves at different depths and locations • Outcomes • Greater security and safety of design of offshore structures and pipelines • Efficiencies and cost savings Image: UWA

Offshore & Coastal Engineering  Effects of climate change on mean sea level, astronomical tides, storm surge & wave climatology of SW WA • implications for management of coastal Image: stevemark facilities under climate change • Inundation & stability  Outcomes • Increased understanding of climate change effects on coastal regions e.g. Peel-Harvey Inlet, Yanchep Lagoon Image: compiled by Sarah Fretzer, Murdoch University

Oceans Systems Forecasting  Downscaled Nested Hydrodynamic Models for Western Australia • Oceanic -> shelf (Leeuwin Current) -> lagoon (Ningaloo and Marmion)  Downscaled climate change projections and predicted year-to-year variations in the marine environment of WA Outcomes – increased understanding of transport mechanisms; and • key drivers of variations in WA marine • environment (El Nino/IOD)

Oceans Systems Forecasting  retention and dispersal of Leeuwin Current water and particles e.g. eggs Dynamics and Variability and larvae of scallops  supply of nutrients to shelf waters Image: CSIRO Scallop fisheries boundaries High retention rate along the shelf Feng, Slawinski, Beckley, Keesing 2010