The role of the ATRF

The Arafura Timor region is rich in marine biodiversity. The ecosystems, however, remain largely undescribed, and the benefits unexplored.

By working together, natural and social scientists, and industry will deliver beneficial marine and coastal science innovations by linking ecological research with analysis of human response to changing environmental conditions, and identifying optimal approaches for delivering sustainable economic benefits to national and regional communities.

• The full range of research fields envisaged for the facility will include the facilitation of strategic commercialisation, sustainable management and conservation of the marine and coastal resource and ecosystems of the Arafura and Timor seas;
• improve national capacity to describe, benefit from and use the biota's genetic resources;
• enhance regional cooperation and regional economic stability, through science and the commercialisation of research for Australia and nations adjoining our EEZ;
• facilitate use of national and regional non-living sea bed resources, through an accessible, strategic northern research facility; conduct research into sustainable aquaculture; and
• assess marine carbon budgets of the Arafura and Timor Seas.

The ATRF is planning further infrastructure development, subject to funding, to fully service the range of research activities.

Anticipated resources at ATRF

The new laboratory will be equipped with a range of the latest state of the art equipment. The ATRF will be re-bidding for a CDU ARC LIEF bid to obtain a stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer (SIRMS) that if successful, will be based at the ATRF. The outcome of this bid should be known by November. Spare capacity in the SIRMS can be made available to collaborative researchers using ATRF.

Who can use this research facility?

The ATRF has established a Scientific Oversight and Access Committee (SO&AC) that will consider requests for access to the facility and make recommendations to the ATRF board. Expressions of interest are invited from interested parties [Register Research Interests].

Students & Researchers

The ATRF welcomes expressions of interest from scholars seeking to conduct research at the ATRF. The ATRF will consider these through the SO&AC process.

Organisations

The ATRF seeks to facilitate the commercialisation of research and welcomes proposals. Organisations wishing to utilise the ATRF should set out their requirements in a letter to the ATRF for SO&AC consideration.

Costs

The ATRF will during the course of this year be developing a standard range of charges to apply to users of the facility. Enquiries regarding collaborative arrangements are welcomed.

top