The Albanese Government has released its national Sustainable Ocean Plan, setting a shared direction for our ocean and ocean economy and solidifying Australia’s position as a global leader in marine management.
The Plan represents the first time that governments and interest groups have agreed on a written, shared direction, and has been developed with input from First Nations peoples, ocean communities, researchers, conservationists, all levels of government, and marine industries ranging from fishing, energy and tourism to ports, defence and even the space sector.
Australia’s new Sustainable Ocean Plan will help improve our stewardship of the ocean, address key challenges, and support the growth of Australia’s $229 billion ocean economy.
The plan sets out a national vision for a sustainable ocean future and highlights the outcomes Australia will achieve across 8 priority areas. These are:
- taking climate action
- growing ocean industries
- working with First Nations peoples
- protecting, restoring, and building the resilience of our marine environment
- strengthening collaboration
- ensuring equity and inclusion
- building knowledge
- mobilising finance.
Early implementation steps will see the Albanese Government establish a National Ocean Steering Committee and a National Ocean Advisory Group to support the advancement of outcomes across the priority areas and strengthen national coordination and collaboration across sectors – building on our already strong foundations for sustainably managing 100 per cent of Australia’s ocean.
Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt said releasing the plan reaffirmed Australia as a global ocean leader.
“Australia is a proud member of the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy – a group of world leaders working to set the direction for global ocean action – with a goal of 100 per cent sustainable ocean management,” Minister Watt said.
“The ocean is vital to our natural environment, our economy, national security, wellbeing and way of life. It regulates our climate and supports Australian jobs and regional communities, provides an intrinsic link between healthy Country and healthy people for Traditional Custodians and contributes to national food and energy security.
“As Australians, we rely on the ocean in so many ways. Yet this is the first time we have come together across jurisdictions and sectors on a shared vision and priorities for our ocean’s future.
“The plan acknowledges the many ways Australians rely on the ocean and its role as the life source of our planet.
“It builds on the strong action already being taken across all jurisdictions and sectors, from sustainable industries and innovative science, to Indigenous ranger programs and our leadership in COP31, the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty and the International Whaling Commission.
“Safeguarding our ocean from climate change and other pressures is critical, as is ensuring ocean users are part of decision-making processes.
“We all have a role to play in achieving our shared vision for our ocean and ocean economy, now and for future generations.”
