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The international marine and fisheries research status of the State and the nation will be boosted by an $11 million commitment to a research hub in Perth's northern suburbs.

The Watermans Bay Marine Research Centre will be created from a refurbishment of existing old facilities next to Marmion Marine Park on West Coast Drive.

The facility forms part of the Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre (IOMRC) project which also includes a new $62 million marine research centre to be constructed on The University of Western Australia's Crawley campus.

IOMRC will be the largest marine research capability in the Indian Ocean Rim and will enable Australia to continue to build its international research status.

Fisheries Minister Ken Baston visited Watermans Bay to announce the State Government's injection of $4 million into the rebuild of the Watermans Bay facility.

"The facility provides a rare opportunity to source seawater of research quality from a pristine environment," Mr Baston said.

The beachside hub will become a base for more than 40 scientists and research staff in a collaboration between UWA, Federal and State Governments, CSIRO and the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

Deputy Director of the UWA Oceans Institute Winthrop Professor Shaun Collin said The Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre will be a leading marine science partnership in the Southern Hemisphere and the largest marine research capability in the Indian Ocean Rim.

"The project has the vision to drive global knowledge of the Indian Ocean Marine Environment and its sustainable management in the fields of oceanography, marine ecology, neurobiology, ecosystem health, fisheries, coastal processes, engineering, marine observation, resource management, governance, conservation and risk management," Professor Collin said.

The IOMRC partnership will undertake research covering climate change, the sustainable use of marine resources and conserving marine biodiversity.

The development of these new research facilities is being made possible by a $34 million grant from the Australian Government through the Education Investment Fund, and contributions from the four collaborative partners.

Media references

Winthrop Professor Shaun Collin (UWA Oceans Institute)  (+61 8)  6488 2632
David Stacey (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716