The Australian Antarctic Science Council (AASC) has released a new Australian Antarctic Science Strategic Plan setting a 10-year direction for research in the region.
Climate research of million-year old ice and studies into Antarctic krill, a keystone species of the Southern Ocean, will be key priorities of the strategy, the Council said.
Minister for the Environment, Sussan Ley, said the knowledge gained from Antarctic research would have a direct bearing on everyday life in Australia and the world.
“The work of our Antarctic scientists is informing us about weather patterns, ocean circulation and the response of ecosystems to a changing environment,” Ms Ley said.
The Council said the Antarctic Science Strategic Plan was backed by $106 million in funding and set out three key research areas:
- Environmental protection and management.
- Ice, ocean, atmosphere and earth systems.
- Human presence and activities.
It said the Plan also highlighted the importance of digital integration, with data collection and analysis underpinning scientific outputs.
It said the Plan was developed following consultation with the Antarctic science research sector, Commonwealth agencies, the Tasmanian government, universities and industry stakeholders.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Marise Payne, said Australia had an enduring commitment to Antarctica and would continue to take a leading and influential role in Antarctic international affairs.
She said that during the summer just gone, Australia completed the most extensive inspection tour of international science bases in its history, travelling more than 10,000 kilometres across the continent.
The AASC is comprised of eminent scientists and representatives from agencies involved in the Australian Antarctic Science Program, including the Australian Antarctic Division, Australian Academy of Science, CSIRO and Geoscience Australia.
The new single-page Strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
