The national marine science plan: food security for Australia

Australia’s seafood sector, encompassing wild capture fisheries, aquaculture, recreational, and First Nations practices, generates more than AU$3.4 billion annually as of 2023. Aquaculture is the fastest-growing component, contributing AU$1.94 billion in Gross Value of Production, while capture fisheries contribute AU$1.51 billion. Despite exporting AU$1.28 billion in high-value seafood, Australia remains a net importer, with many imports lacking transparency regarding sustainability and biosecurity. As seafood is now the fourth most consumed protein in Australia, the role of marine science in securing a safe, sustainable, and climate-resilient supply is increasingly critical. Strategic investment in research capability, infrastructure, and innovation will be essential to respond to climate change, strengthen aquatic biosecurity, and unlock underutilised marine resources. Priority areas include integrating climate forecasting and ecosystem modelling into management, improving diagnostic and surveillance systems for aquatic animal health and food safety, and expanding molecular tools such as eDNA and genetic traceability. Integrated, systems-based research linking aquaculture, fisheries, environmental management, and Indigenous knowledge will be vital. A nationally coordinated research agenda, supported by workforce development and modern infrastructure, will ensure marine science continues to underpin a secure, sustainable seafood future in an increasingly crowded and contested marine estate.