Deakin Geelong to host national marine sciences conference

Australia's top marine scientists will gather in Geelong next week to discuss latest research, challenges and solutions for the nation's future environmental sustainability.

The four-day 2015 Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) national conference, to be held at Deakin University's Waterfront campus from Monday, will for the first time include a public forum on the opening night.

The free Q&A event will be hosted by Anthony Boxshall from RRR's Radio Marinara, and will feature a panel of experts to discuss the most pressing issues facing our marine environment, including marine parks, fisheries and climate change. The forum will include answers to questions from the public.

AMSA conference organiser and Deakin scientist Dr Adam Pope said the 2015 theme, "Estuaries to Oceans", would put the spotlight on Australia's coastal habitats, home to a diverse range of species and ecosystems, which live alongside more than 80 per cent of the nation's human population.

"With population and economic hubs concentrated along the coastline, Australia's marine research community is crucial to supporting the growing economy, while conserving our national heritage and maintaining our high quality of life," Dr Pope said.

AMSA President Dr Tim Lynch said he was looking forward to welcoming delegates from across the associations' varied scientific disciplines.

"Scientists will be answering some of the tough questions around how to understand, conserve and sustainably use and manage the great diversity of marine life found in Australian waters," Dr Lynch said.

The conference will feature presentations from more 300 scientists on their current and topical Australian marine research, with highlights to include:

• Monday 6 July,  9:30am: Detecting human impacts on the cool waters of Australia's estuaries and coastal areas, Professor Emma Johnston (University of New South Wales);
• Tuesday 7 July, 9:10am: How modelling our marine ecosystems and coasts can provide insights and strategies for adaption to climate change, Dr Beth Fulton (CSIRO);
• Wednesday 8 July, 9:10am: The discovery of new species of sea stars and insights into the effect of climate change on marine invertebrates, Professor Maria Byrne (University of Sydney);
• Wednesday 8 July, 9:45am: The development of a new field of research into marine population connectivity to conserve and manage reef fish populations, Professor Geoffrey Jones (James Cook University);
• Thursday 9 July, 9:10am: World leading research is helping put an economic value on marine and coastal ecosystem services, and the understanding of the reliance of humans on nature, Professor Robert Costanza (Australian National University); and
• Thursday 9 July, 2.40pm: The value of conserving "blue carbon sinks" across Victoria to improve our environment through capturing carbon from the atmosphere, Carolyn Ewers, Deakin University.

For full details about the conference go to the AMSA conference website, Twitter and Facebook pages.

CONFERENCE DETAILS

Estuaries to Oceans, Deakin University, Costa Hall, Waterfront campus, 1 Gheringhap St, GEELONG

Monday 6 July – Friday 10 July, 2015