National Marine Science Centre
services offered
The NMSC offers a range of research, consulting and educational services.
Research Project and Expertise
The NMSC pursues research in many areas of marine science such as:
- Marine benthic ecology
- Pollution monitoring
- Estuarine and inshore habitat mapping
- Coral reef studies and management
- Socio-economics of marine resource use and conservation
- Fisheries science and management
Research projects have been undertaken for a range of local councils, State government and Commonwealth government funded projects.
While many projects use the natural advantage of being part of the Solitary Islands Marine Park, others use our location on mid-east Coast Australia and on the edge of the sub tropics in the Pacific region.
The NMSC has also had research projects involving the Antarctic, working with the Australian governments Antarctic Division.
NMSC staff are involved with research into marine economies of the 21 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies as part of the Marine Resource Conservation Working group of APEC.
NMSC staff have also completed research projects on request of clients including the State and Commonwealth government.
Consultancy
The staff of the NMSC have considerable background in a range of areas relevant to consulting projects in marine science and management. The NMSC is also a mechanism for academics at both partner Universities to be available for projects in a wide range of areas.
NMSC can provide a range of training interventions in the marine environment and fisheries area.
Protected Areas science and management - Establishment of marine protected areas and regional systems of marine protected areas for fisheries. Development of national/regional action plans and assistance with plan implementation.
Endangered/Threatened Species science and management - NMSC have expertise in managing to protect endangered and threatened species. This ranges from bird populations, to cetaceans, to adapting fishing technology in commer4cial fishing operations so as to minimize bycatch. This extends to the management of species of regional, global and transboundary significance including economic, legal and policy considerations.
In the case of cetacean and fishery interactions, the NMSC work with experts in the Whale Research Centre based at Southern Cross University (a NMSC partner University).
Marine Resource Economics and management - Marine resource and environmental economics used in:
- Determining the profitability of fishing fleets and their long term viability
- Determining optimum bio-economic carrying capacity and sustainable levels of fishing effort
- The reduction of fishing effort and industry over-capitalization through adjustment schemes, alternative governance regimes and capacity reduction policies
- Training managers in integrating economics, policy and law in fisheries management
Socio-economic impacts and community consultation
- Stakeholder analysis can be undertaken to confirm the level of dependence on fisheries/coastal resources
- What kind of co-management schemes are required for a given community?
- Development of alternative livelihoods for displaced fishers
- Diversifying income sources and improving the financial security of local people with low incomes including women’s projects
Geographical Information Systems – GIS is a central part of both fisheries and marine environmental science and management.
Both NMSC universities have excellent GIS capabilities being able to highlight the detail required when it comes to packaging the outputs for use by scientists and managers. Training sessions can be held and DVDs and other materials produced for instructive purposes.
For inquiries regarding NMSC Consultancies contact:
| Email: | Write: The Director National Marine Science Centre PO Box J321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3900 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6656 1580 |
Capacity Development
There is an increasing realisation that the challenges of managing marine resources and environments in a sustainable manner, requires a significant investment by institutions in developing the skills of their staff. This has been identified by many international conventions such as the Rio Earth Summit and international environmental agreements.
Capacity development requires a strategic approach and the NMSC have a range of diagnostic and design skills that can assist marine science and management agencies in staff development.
The NMSC can provide a suite of skills in diagnosis, planning and provision of tailored training programs for fishery and marine environmental projects, with capacity development components.
Short Courses
The NMSC has capacity to provide short courses on request for clients and through the NMSC’s annual short course program.
General Inquiries
| Email: | Write: National Marine Science Centre PO Box J321 Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 AUSTRALIA |
|
| Phone: | 61 (0)2 6648 3900 | |
| Fax: | 61 (0)2 6656 1580 |