There are six fascinating facts about Australia's ocean territories, according to National Marine Science Committee (NMSC), an advisory body promoting co-ordination and information sharing between Australian Government marine science agencies and the broader Australian marine science community.
Only 25% of the seafloor of Australia's marine jurisdiction has been mapped.
From Antarctica in the south to the Torres Strait in the north, from the Cocos-Keeling Islands in the west to Lord Howe Island in the east, our marine estate straddles three oceans: Indian, Southern and Pacific.
It is the third largest marine jurisdiction of any nation on Earth-13.86 million km2-giving a natural security buffer and the responsibility for a search-and-rescue area more than double our landmass.
More than 85 percent of Australia's population lives within 50 kilometres of the coast.
Marine industries contributed approximately $47.2 billion to the economy in 2011-12. This is projected to grow to approximately $100 billion by 2025 with the expansion of current industries and development of new opportunities in areas such as renewable energy.
In addition to their economic and aesthetic value, oceans also provide a suite of essential "ecosystem services" -- most importantly in their role within the global climate system. Since the end of the 18th century, about 30% percent of human-induced carbon dioxide emissions have been taken up by the oceans while over the past 50 years, they have absorbed about 90% of the additional heat caused by the greenhouse effect.
The NMSC released these facts along with the recommendations of more than 500 scientists and 23 marine research organizations, schools and some government agencies on how to assist the Australia's marine science system. The Recommendations are:
Create an explicit focus on the blue economy throughout the marine science system.
Establish and support a National Marine Baselines and Long-term Monitoring Program, to develop a comprehensive assessment of our estate and to help manage Commonwealth and State Marine Reserves.
Facilitate coordinated national studies on marine system processes and resilience to enable understanding of development and climate change impacts on our marine estate.
Create a National Oceanographic Modelling System to supply the accurate, detailed knowledge and predictions of ocean state that defense, industry and government need.
Develop a dedicated and coordinated science program to support decision-making by policymakers and marine industry.
Sustain and expand the Integrated Marine Observing System to support critical climate change and coastal systems research, including coverage of key estuarine systems.
Develop marine science research training that is more quantitative, cross-disciplinary and congruent with the needs of industry and government.
Fund national research vessels for full use.
The recommendations are in line with the recently launch "ten-year plan" to boost the Australia's blue economy.
