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Science knowledge & needs

Diver explores a coral wall. credit Justin Gilligan

Diver explores a coral wall. credit Justin Gilligan

Parks Australia has an innovative and integrated science program to build knowledge crucial to the effective, evidence-based management of the Commonwealth parks and gardens. Science encompasses both ‘western’ science, and the knowledge, science, innovation and expertise of First Nations people, and of island and other local communities connected to our parks. Partnerships are essential for delivering the science that underpins the conservation and management activities of Parks Australia.

The Director of National Parks has recently launched the Parks Australia Science Strategy, Science Prospectus and Science Partnership Framework. Together these documents provide the vision, direction, and thematic areas and challenges for the science program, and provides a guide for partnering with Parks Australia to achieve impact addressing science challenges together.

A primary focus for the science program for Australian Marine Parks (AMPs) since their establishment has been to increase our knowledge and understanding of what’s in the marine parks, while also designing and starting to implement a strategic monitoring program. We are also working with Indigenous organisations, land councils and Indigenous ranger groups to establish collaborative projects, through direct partnerships.

The following links provide access to a wide range of resources, including reports being developed with the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub synthesising the science for each AMP network and the Coral Sea Marine Park (CSMP).

Key publications and programs

Parks Australia Scientific Publications Repository provides a consistent approach for managing, publishing and preserving scientific and research publications produced by or for Parks Australia.

NESP Marine and Coastal Hub protected place management website provides links to AMP projects and reports, including synthesis reports for each marine parks network and CSMP.

Ocean Discovery and Restoration program has focussed on discovery and restoration projects important to science, industry, Traditional Owners, park managers and the community, to improve understanding and sustainable management of AMPs.

Our Marine Parks Grants (OMPG) program has made a combined investment of $28.2 million across 4 rounds, supporting 91 projects to deliver some outstanding marine conservation outcomes. Round 5 of OMPG is currently open

Examples of Indigenous led and co-designed projects with other partners

GIS sites

Seamap Australia is a marine decision support tool that brings together seafloor habitat maps, including the latest national ecosystem product, and other data to facilitate understanding and management of Australia’s marine resources.

The Futures of Seafood Atlas is a decision support platform that integrates climate projections, aquaculture innovation, wild fisheries data, and socioeconomic indicators, including for Marine Protected Areas.

Shaping Australia’s Marine Parks - Geoscience Australia is supporting seabed mapping and marine geomorphology which is strengthening the evidence that supports AMP management.

  • The Australian Marine Spatial Information System (AMSIS) is the Australian Government's digital platform for accessing and visualising official information relevant to marine spatial planning, governance and the sustainable management of Australia's marine domain.
  • AusSeaBed is an interface that allows users to explore seafloor mapping products across Australia’s marine jurisdiction.

Data portals

Reef Life Explorer is an interactive platform exploring the health of thousands of reefs worldwide.

GlobalArchive is a collaborative archive for fish and benthic stereo-video annotation, supporting data sharing and synthesis.

Australian Ocean Data Network (AODN) manages the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) data collection program which is augmented with data from other partners and data contributors such as universities, government agencies, industry and other organisations.

Squidle+ is a centralised marine image data management, discovery & annotation platform.

National ecosystem product map (2026).
National ecosystem product (2026). Credit: CSIRO, Seamap Australia (University of Tasmania), and NESP Marine and Coastal Hub.
Researchers preparing for surveys in Beagle Marine Park in South-east Marine Parks Network..
Researchers preparing for surveys in Beagle Marine Park in South-east Marine Parks Network. Credit: Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS), University of Tasmania and NESP Marine and Coastal Hub.