Ocean Science Council of Australia
We live in an era of unprecedented reliance on the oceans for our livelihoods and lifestyle. How well we manage our ocean use in an environment fundamentally challenged by climate change will shape the way we live into the future. The role of marine science in informing and shaping the sound management and conservation of Australia’s ocean estate has never been more crucial than now.
The Ocean Science Council of Australia (OSCA) is an independent group of leading Australian experts concerned with advancing marine conservation to ensure the protection of biological diversity, ecosystem health and the resulting economic and social benefits.
Our members represent a range of disciplines including ecology, economics, sociology and law. Drawing on this expertise, OSCA has identified three priorities for action to secure the future of Australia’s oceans:
1. The completion of Australia’s marine reserve network with highly protected no-take marine reserves at its core;
2. Continual progress in the ecologically sustainable management of Australia’s fisheries and marine based resource industries;
3. Reform of Australia’s ocean governance to be solidly anchored in sound science.
Recently, we called on the international science community, and they lent their names and networks to this submission to the Director of National Parks.
Download the OSCA Submission sent to the Director of National Parks
Latest News
The Ocean Science Council of Australia (OSCA) has responded to the Review of Australia’s Marine Reserves which recommends significant cuts to marine protection, releasing a Statement of Concern and urging Federal Environment Minister, Josh Frydenberg, to act decisively to expand rather than erode the current levels of protection provided in the network.
- Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/mar/24/the-governments-marine-park-plans-are-diabolical-for-ocean-protection
- The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/more-than-1-200-scientists-urge-rethink-on-australias-marine-park-plans-84366
- ABC AM: http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2016/s4566151.htm
- Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/30/cuts-to-marine-reserves-would-deliver-minuscule-economic-benefits
- Read OSCA’s statement of concern here.
- Read OSCA’s submission to the development of management plans for Australia’s Marine Reserves here.
- Read OSCA’s recommendations on what the scientific review of the Commonwealth Marine Reserves should deliver here.
Meet the Scientists
Jessica Meeuwig
Professor of Marine Science and Director, Centre for Marine Futures, Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia.
David Booth
Professor of Marine Ecology and Director of the Centre for Environmental Sustainability at the University of Technology Sydney.
Chris Daniels
Professor of Biology, Division of Health Sciences at the University of South Australia.
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg FAA
Director of the Global Change Institute and Professor of Marine Science at The University of Queensland.
Craig Johnson
Head of the Ecology and Biodiversity Centre, and Associate Director, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania.
David Pannell
Professor and Head of School in the School of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Western Australia.
Contact
For more information and media queries contact info@oceansciencecouncil.org