AIMS, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences sign joint research agreement

The executive leadership of the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) recently welcomed delegates from the Chinese Academy of Science (CAS), as well as distinguished scientists from the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS) to the headquarter facility in Townsville. The visit presented the opportunity to formalise common research interests through the signing of a joint research agreement, forging a clear way forward for the recently formed Sino-Australian Centre for Healthy Coasts (SACHC) Joint Research Centre.

Front row: L-R - Prof. Song SUN (IOCAS); Prof. Tieniu TAN (Vice-President, CAS); John Gunn (AIMS); Prof. Xiaoxia SUN (IOCAS). 2nd Row: L-R - Yang JIANG (CAS); Prof. Ronghua ZHANG (IOCAS); David Mead (AIMS); Prof. Runsheng YU (CAS); Dr. Ziyuan HU (IOCAS). 3rd Row: L-R - Dr David Souter (AIMS); Dr Richard Brinkman (AIMS); Mr Bolun NING (CAS). Image: AIMS

The Sino-Australian Centre for Healthy Coasts was established in July 2016 through a grant from the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, under the Australia-China Strategic Research Fund. The Centre brings together talented researchers from AIMS and IOCAS to collaboratively develop novel solutions focused on addressing the complex challenges of managing multi-use coastal zones.

The signing, between AIMS CEO, John Gunn and Prof Song SUN (IOCAS), was preceded by a productive discussion by all participants highlighting the mutual challenges and opportunities for growing each nation’s ‘Blue Economy.’ Current gaps in observation of both countries’ vast marine estates were also acknowledged during the meeting, with both parties expressing significant interest in the development of next generation marine biophysical and ecological monitoring technologies including autonomous observing platforms and intelligent, automated analysis pipelines.

A tour of AIMS’ world-class experimental facility, the National Sea Simulator, was a centerpiece of the visit, and provided a glimpse into the future for coastal marine ecosystems under pressure from a changing climate and coastal development.

The Sino-Australian Centre for Healthy Coasts Joint Research Centre is one of six new Joint Research Centres under the 3-year Australia-China Science and Research Fund awarded by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.