Welcome to the United Nations
UN DESA
United Nations
#OceanAction17426
Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) as a contribution to global ocean observing
by Bureau of Meteorology (as a principal participant in the IMOS consortium) (Government)
Since 2006, successive Australian Governments have invested in the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) as a national collaborative research infrastructure. IMOS routinely operates a wide range of observing equipment throughout Australia's coastal and open oceans, making all of its data accessible to the marine and climate science community, other stakeholders and users, and international collaborators. IMOS contributes to sustainable development goals as a Regional Alliance of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). It operates the Australian Ocean Data Network (AODN), which is Australia's national ocean data centre and a participant in the International Ocean Data and Information Exchange (IODE).
Progress reports
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Type of commitment
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
Type of commitment
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
Type of commitment
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Type of commitment
  • Research capacity development
  • Data access and sharing
  • Training and professional development
  • Scientific cooperation
  • Transfer marine technology
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want
Type of commitment
  • Development of necessary infrastructure and/or enforcement capabilities to comply with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS and as complemented by other ocean-related instruments
June 2022
Uptake and use of observations and data through projects, publications, presentations and products. Relevance and impact across all sectors of government, industry and society with that rely on ocean information i.e. Marine sovereignty, security and safety, Energy security, Food security, Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem health, Climate variability and change, Resource allocation, and Urban coastal environments
June 2022
Deployment and recovery of the following ocean observing equipment Argo profiling floats, Ships of opportunity, Deepwater moorings, Ocean gliders, Autonomous underwater vehicles, Shelf/coastal moorings, Ocean radar, Animal tracking, Wireless sensor networks, Satellite remote sensing (reception, calibration/validation, product processing and delivery).
June 2022
Open access to all data from these and other ocean observing platforms. Data is available in near real time (where possible) and in delayed mode/quality controlled via the Australian Ocean Data Network (AODN), an interoperable online network of marine and climate data resources
Financing (in USD)
149,500,000 USD
Financing (in USD)
204,750,000 USD
Staff / Technical expertise
~80 full time equivalent scientific, technical and management staff employed across the partner organisations operating the program
Basic information
Time-frame: June 2016 - June 2023
Website
Partners
Principal Participants: Bureau of Meteorology, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), University of Tasmania (Lead Agent), University of Western Australia, Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) Associate Participants: Curtin University, Deakin University, University of Melbourne, Australian Antarctic Division (AAD)
Ocean Basins
  • Indian Ocean
  • South Pacific
  • Southern Ocean
Beneficiary countries
Other beneficaries
Royal Australian Navy
Contact information
Michelle Heupel, Director, Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), michelle.heupel@utas.edu.au, +61 3 6226 2767
Australia
Other SDGs
United Nations