Our ocean - Australia’s Sustainable Ocean Plan

Australia’s Sustainable Ocean Plan

Australia’s Sustainable Ocean Plan (the plan) will help:

Image credit: Allyn White

To develop the plan, we engaged with:

ocean sectors and industries
First Nations groups
researchers and scientists
recreational users and organisations
non-government organisations and members of the community, including young people
Australian, state, territory and local governments.

The plan:

It identifies 8 focus areas:

taking climate action
growing ocean industries
working with First Nations peoples
protecting, restoring and building the resilience of our marine environment
seeking stronger collaboration, equity and inclusion, knowledge and finance to support our work.

Image credit: Simon Mitchell (Shannon ‘Mick’ Micallef at Osprey Reef, Coral Sea Marine Park)

Responsibility for implementing the plan is shared by all ocean managers, custodians and users.

Governments will lead some actions and other groups, sectors and communities will also lead initiatives.

Two bodies will help guide our collective efforts:

the National Ocean Steering Committee, comprising all levels of government
the National Ocean Advisory Group, which will bring together diverse stakeholders and expertise.

Expressions of interest for membership of the advisory group are open until 5.30 pm (AEDT), Thursday 19 November 2026.

Image credit: Sabine Rock