Our Impact
Decisions that support a sustainable future for WA's marine environment must be based on the best available scientific knowledge.
WAMSI has provided this knowledge for nearly two decades. Since our establishment in 2006, we have delivered transformative marine science through collaborative, multi-agency programs.
Projects completed
+
Research delivered
$
m
+
Return on investment
-times
Transformative marine science
We have worked with more than 800 scientists across disciplines ranging from oceanography, social science, marine ecology, fisheries and data analytics to deliver projects in Western Australia.
Our work has enhanced knowledge of Western Australia’s marine environment and its extensive resources, informed environmental policy, supported sustainable development, and built scientific capacity across the state.
WAMSI projects across the WA coast
Applied Marine Science
- Delivering the WAMSI Westport Marine Science Program, a $25M initiative to deliver a comprehensive research program that addresses important knowledge gaps about Cockburn Sound’s ecosystem.
- Leading the Mardie Salt Marine and Intertidal Research Program, an offset project to inform decision making on the Pilbara coast.
- Delivered a comprehensive knowledge review and prioritisation survey of Exmouth Gulf, synthesising 500 studies and spanning decades of published western science literature.
- Developed the comprehensive, stakeholder-led Shark Bay (Gathaagudu) Science Plan to respond to environmental pressures facing the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.
- Refreshed the Blueprint for Marine Science to align with emerging stakeholder priorities.
- Delivered strategic advice on the cumulative pressures on the values of Exmouth Gulf, including the environmental, social and cultural values. This information assisted with the provision of strategic advice to the Minister and the subsequent declaration of a new marine park.
- Advanced digital environmental assessment through the development of the Shared Environmental Analytics Framework (SEAF) and launched a pilot project in Cockburn Sound.
- Established the high school outreach program Thinking Blue to educate and inspire WA marine students.
- Secured a UN Decade of Ocean Science Grant for ocean warming modelling.
- Provided stakeholder views and science priorities on the decommissioning of offshore infrastructure related to the oil and gas industry.
Regional focus
- Delivered the Kimberley Marine Research Program, establishing baseline knowledge for marine park planning.
- Partnered with Traditional owners to deliver the first processes and protocols for researchers working on sea Country.
- Launched the Dredging Science Node to predict and manage the environmental impacts of dredging, positioning WA as a global leader in dredging impact science.
- Identified threats and solutions for globally threatened sawfish in the Pilbara and Kimberley.
- Produced the Blueprint for Marine Science 2050, a stakeholder-driven marine research priorities framework.
- Enhanced understanding of ecosystem function around the Dampier Peninsula and Buccaneer Archipelago.
Foundational knowledge and capacity building
- Established a comprehensive baseline of knowledge and data for the Ningaloo Marine Park.
- Developed the Framework for Ecosystems Based Management of Fisheries.
- Contributed to new State legislation supporting marine biodiscovery and biotechnology.
- Improved data management through the WA Node of the Australian Ocean Data Network.
- Gained international recognition in deepwater sponge identification, ocean engineering applications and predictive ocean modelling.
- Improved offshore oil and gas platform design for safety and cost savings through quantification of internal waves.
- Supported 34 early career scientists, enhancing WA’s marine science capacity and capability.
- Conducted rapid biodiversity assessments for prospective gas hub sites.
- Discovered and defined key oceanographic features like the Holloway and Leeuwin Currents.
- Developed a WA biodiscovery library and delivered biodiversity assessments of the Southwest, Perth and Midwest coastal areas.
