The Ningaloo Reef, Exmouth Gulf, the North-West Shelf and the Timor Sea Zone of Cooperation represent a large and valuable portion of Australia’s huge Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The region has high biodiversity and is rich in resources, such as oil, gas and fisheries. It has ecosystems with great potential for ecotourism.

While the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is making a significant research effort in this area, it is not working alone. The Institute is grateful for its collaboration with CSIRO, the Australian Geological Survey Organisation (AGSO), Dampier Salt (Operations) Pty. Ltd., the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM), the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), Australian universities, the offshore oil and gas industry, the Western Australian government, and international researchers.

This report shows that the AIMS program, now in its fourth year, is beginning to produce important basic knowledge of the region. In two years, at the time our third report is due, I expect this foundation to be reinforced. Through this effort, Australia will be in a position to fulfill its obligations for this region under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, to document its marine resources, to protect them and to exploit them in a sustainable manner.

Russell Reichelt
Director