Across Victoria there are 30 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). These include Marine National Parks (MNP), Marine Sanctuaries (MS), Marine and Coastal Parks, Marine Parks and a Marine Reserve.

Tasmania has approximately 5 400 kilometres of coastline – more coastline per unit area than any other State in Australia. About 80–90% of species of most marine groups are endemic, compared to only 10% of species in most groups in northern tropical waters. As a result, the marine environment of Tasmania and similar southern areas is in many ways more significant in world terms than tropical areas such as the Great Barrier Reef

The key objective of the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources’ state marine park network is to protect and conserve marine biodiversity and habitats. Therefore the research goals are focused on assessing the effectiveness of the park network at achieving a range of goals.

Marine protected areas are parts of the NSW marine estate managed to conserve marine biodiversity and support marine science, recreation & education. The NSW system of marine protected areas includes; 12 aquatic reserves, 6 multiple use marine parks, & ~ 20,000 hectares of national parks & nature reserves.

The key objective of the Department of Environment and Water’s state marine park network is to protect and conserve marine biodiversity and habitats. Therefore the research goals are focused on assessing the effectiveness of the park network at achieving a range of goals.

As one of the three core research programs within IMAS, the Ecology & Biodiversity Centre is broadly concerned with understanding the structure and functioning of marine ecosystems. Our research has a particular emphasis on temperate systems, though has global outlook and capacity.