A Marine Science Opportunity - the Wealth from Oceans National Research Flagship

The Australian Government launched one of its most significant research and development initiatives in August 2003 with the establishment of a National Research Flagship Program. The Flagships strive to deliver solutions from science in the 21^st century with the present six Flagships focussing on health, energy, water, food, light metals and oceans. Each Flagship is a partnership of leading scientists, research institutions, commercial companies, Australia´s Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and selected international partners. Through a combination of direct Australian Government investment, CSIRO investment and partner contributions, it is anticipated that nearly AUD $1.5 B in science will be invested through the Flagships over the next seven years. The charter for the Wealth from Oceans National Research Flagship is to catalyse, responsibly, the potential of our oceans, through the application of breakthrough sciences in partnership with industry and the community, and to provide Australia with a key capacity to discover and realise the benefits of its ocean territory. National and international partnerships are critical in advancing the Flagship´s agenda.