Summary

Queensland is Australia’s fastest growing region, with the population in South East Queensland predicted to grow from 2.8 to 4.4 million people in the next 20 years.  The coastal and marine waters of Queensland contain natural assets of enormous significance, including the Great Barrier Reef, as well as providing for human use through industry and recreation.  The Q-IMOS Node has been designed partly to make sustained observations so that oceanic variability can be included in better evidence-based management decisions for a broad range of issues affecting the region.  Of particular interest is the East Australian Current and gaining a better understanding of the physical processes and biological responses to this and other associated oceanographic phenomenon.

Data collected by the Q-IMOS Node will contribute to better outcomes for fisheries management, conservation planning, tourism and weather forecasting.  Q-IMOS observations will also be essential to validate and improve the accuracy and performance of models predicting biological responses and climate effects.