AIMS $42.7 million National Sea Simulator expansion unveiled in Townsville

The Federal Government has launched the $42.7 million expansion of the Australian Institute of Marine Science National Sea Simulator in Townsville.

Now twice its original size, the world-class facility will accelerate scientific research on the Great Barrier Reef, particularly in breeding corals that are more resistant to heat at a larger scale.

The Federal Government has also announced an additional $8 million for Reef research. This funding will boost crucial research to protect, conserve, and enhance the resilience of the Reef in the face of severe weather events and climate change. That includes the use of aquaculture to breed healthy corals that are more resilient under heat stress are being tested.

Funding will also be used in partnership with the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to combine key data used to track the progress of Australia’s landscape repair and coastal rehabilitation investments. This will be delivered through the creation of a Reef account, as part of the National Ecosystem Accounts.