To generate the knowledge to support the sustainable use and protection of the marine environment through innovative, world-class scientific and technological research.

• tackling the questions that matter most to our clients
• creating synergies of knowledge
• harnessing relevant expertise
• working over a range of geographic scales
• providing long-term perspectives
• giving objective advice with commitment and integrity
• finding innovative approaches and solutions
• communicating results to clients

The Institute's clients are the users of marine science and technology: the Australian community, marine industries, regulators and governments, policy developers, other researchers, educators and students.

Our main clients for public good research are the Commonwealth Department of Industry Science and Resources, Environment Australia including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the National Oceans Office, the Governments of Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, as well as local governments. We service the information needs of these agencies, proponents, and public for informed transparent debate and sensible regulation by researching issues like land-based threats to the integrity of coastal marine ecosystems, impacts of climate change, resource surveys, marine parks and wetlands reserves. Our strategic research is done in support of Australia's Oceans Policy (1998) and our priorities are determined within the framework created by Australia's Marine Science and Technology Plan (1999).

AIMS services the information needs of the oil and gas industry on the North West Shelf with appropriate measurement and monitoring of oceanographic and ecological parameters. Most relevant research areas: Transport models for water, sediments and propagules; Biological oceanography of the North West Shelf; Resource surveys for regional marine planning; Bioindicators of sublethal stress in marine organisms.

AIMS is assessing land-based threats to coastal marine ecosystems, particularly those from agriculture. This involves monitoring riverine flows of freshwater, sediments and dissolved materials. It also involves research to understand the biological impacts of these flows and providing useful feedback to users and managers of catchments. Most relevant research areas: Terrestrial run-off into coastal receiving waters; Biological impacts of excess nutrients in marine ecosystems; Bioindicators of sublethal stress in marine organisms; Human impacts on Ord-Bonaparte ecosystems.

AIMS is studying coral reef ecosystems across northern Australia, particularly the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the Ningaloo Reef Tract. The CRC (GBRWHA), in which AIMS is the largest provider of science and the peak tourism body AMPTO is the largest industry partner, is a major vehicle for meeting the information needs for ecologically sustainable use of coral reefs. Most relevant research areas: Decision support for marine resource managers; Status and trends on coral reefs; Fish population dynamics; Transport models for water, sediments and propagules; Coral reefs and climate change.

AIMS is studying fish populations of coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses. Some work is also done on the fisheries resources of deeper habitats, notably the sea floor between reefs and the upper continental slope. The research emphasises strategic basic knowledge such as patterns of distribution and abundance, replenishment, life cycles and longevity. As such it complements the more tactical missions of other agencies concerned with managing fisheries. Most relevant research areas: Status and trends on coral reefs; Fish population dynamics; Sea-floor biodiversity; Evolution and biogeography of marine biota.

AIMS supports sustainable, profitable aquaculture industries for northern Australia with a focus on prawn farming. Research has concentrated on domestication so that industry might be freed of its dependence upon wild broodstock. The environmental impacts of this industry are also an area of active research. Most relevant research areas: Tropical aquaculture; Biological impacts of excess nutrients in marine ecosystems.

AIMS discovers novel biologically active molecules from marine biota for the benefit of humanity through applications like drugs, agrochemicals and other compounds useful to industry. A naturally occurring sunscreen isolated from reef corals is now in the final stages of commercialisation. Most relevant research areas: Bioactive molecules from the marine environment; Marine environmental biochemistry and chemical ecology.

AIMS provides training for many postgraduate students (more than 20 per annum) including some from foreign countries. It also provides training programs for scientists from countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region with financial support from international aid agencies. All research projects service this need.

AIMS values the need to transfer science and technology to a broad range of users including the Australian public. It does this through popular publications, regular Open Days, public exhibits, media, and its website: www.aims.gov.au.

The Institute seeks to provide a professional service to these and other clients by:

• understanding client needs
• forging closer links between researchers and users
• responding to national directions, goals and priorities
• facilitating multi-disciplinary collaborations
• using our resources efficiently and economically

• client satisfaction, expressed by repeat business
• recognition as a world-class centre of excellence in marine science
• an innovative and creative working environment attracting staff commitment
• effective relationships with policy, regulatory and educational bodies
• a high transfer of knowledge
• increasing financial support from non-government sources
• effective collaborations with other domestic and international research agencies