The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (the Decade) launched in February 2021, establishing a call to action to drive international collaboration across science, policy and integrated ocean management with the view to reversing the decline of ocean health.
The international framework of the Decade provides an opportunity for the Western Australian Government to support local, national and international collaboration to address priority marine research challenges in Western Australia and other jurisdictions. Through the Decade, Western Australia has the opportunity to showcase and share its leading marine science expertise.
The Western Australian Government, with partners UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) have maintained a strong 20-year partnership and are considering how the partnership can support the Decade.
The WA Government will be funding a marine research project that will make a significant contribution to Western Australian marine research priorities whilst also addressing global marine science challenges.
The Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation is working with other government agencies to identify the priority marine science challenges facing the State. Once the priority marine research challenges have been identified, research proposals will be sought from Western Australian tertiary institutions and non-government research bodies.
It is anticipated that the marine science priorities will be identified and research proposals invited in November 2021 and a project approved in the first half of 2022.
The successful research project will be put forward to the International Oceanographic Commission for endorsement as a Decade Project.
To receive updates please send an email request to science@jtsi.wa.gov.au
