AIMS in the Top End - June 20, 2002

AIMS in the top end

Extending from Cape York in Queensland to Cape Talbot in Western Australia, the northern region has become increasingly important to marine researchers and has been identified as a priority area in the recent Review of Marine Research in Tropical Australia, undertaken by the nation's Chief Scientist, Dr Robin Batterham.

Talks are now taking place in Darwin between AIMS staff, government decision-makers and potential client organisations that will pave the way for research targeted at closing knowledge gaps and resolving marine issues critical to Territorians in this region of Australia. The strategic directions that the Institute pursues over the next triennium will hinge on these important 'top end' discussions.

A focus on northern Australia will see an increase in the frequency of AIMS visits and studies in this region. While the Institute is currently locked into a three-year research plan contracted by the Commonwealth, its scientists are excited about moving into the 'top end' and have started to plan activities for the 2003-2006 triennium.

A new laboratory in Darwin

June 2001, the AIMS Council made a strategic decision to focus more of the Institute's research in this resource-rich and ecologically important area. To support this initiative, AIMS and the Australian National University (ANU) jointly applied for funding in 2001 for a Darwin based facility.

AIMS is moving
into the
resource-rich and
ecologically
important "top end"

AIMS in the Top End

The application was successful and $3.25 million was approved under the Federal Government's Major National Research Facilities Program for the Arafura-Timor Research Facility (ATRF).

The mission of the ATRF will be to:

"Facilitate the strategic commercialisation, sustainable management and appropriate conservation of the marine and coastal ecosystems of the Aralura and Timor seas, for Australia and for our regional neighbours. "

AIMS scientists look forward to this facility because it will provide a base for their northern research and increase their capacity to deliver outcomes based a greater understanding of the area's marine biodiversity and ecosystems.

Research outcomes

Combining the biotechnology, ecology and so science expertise of AIMS and ANU, a key goal for the proponents of the joint facility will be to transfer scientific benefits to the indigenous peoples of the area.

One intended outcome, therefore is:

The establishment of environmentally appropriate, low-tech, high-value aquaculture by Aboriginal communities

Other intended outcomes include:

Commercialisation of novel compounds derived from the genetic resources of the region.
More rapid growth of existing ventures, investment and more sustainable use of marine environment.
Improved trade, industry and training alliances with our near northern neighbours.

Timetable

Current estimates are that establishment of the ATRF facility will begin in the latter half of 2002, with completion scheduled for late 2003. While awaiting completion, however, AIMS has already initiated collaborations with other state and national research agencies from Darwin, to complement and advance existing research at the Institute's main laboratory at Cape Ferguson, in northern Queensland. AIMS research scientist Dr Mark Meekan is now based in Darwin and is conducting several projects in the local area, including Darwin Harbour.

Additionally, since its launch in December 2000, AIMS newest research vessel RV Cape Ferguson has spent many months in coastal waters across the top of Australia supporting work on seabed ecology, physical oceanography, microbiology and geochemistry in the Sahul Shoals region of the Timor Sea and sediment dynamics in the Ord River Estuary and Cambridge Gulf.

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE

Cape Ferguson, Queensland
PMB No 3, Townsville MC Qld 4810
Telephone (07) 4753 4444
Facsimile (07) 4772 5852

Darwin, Northern Territory
C/- Department of Science
Building 42
NT University
Casuarina Campus
Darwin NT 0909
Telephone (08) 8945 9524
Facsimile (08) 8946 6847

Perth, Western Australia
PO Box 83, Fremantle WA 6959
Telephone (08) 9433 4440
Facsimile (08) 9433 4443

June 20, 2002

Further information about AIMS facilities

Across the top (AIMS research across the top of Australia)
AIMS Cape Ferguson research facilities
AIMS Western Australia

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