RESEARCH BACKGROUND

The role of the Oceanographic Research Institute is to help decision makers to make wise choices with regard to the conservation or sustainable utilisation of our marine and coastal resources, through objective advice based on sound, peer-reviewed research. As an independent research NGO, ORI solicits paid-for research where possible, including consultancies, but all projects undergo a vigorous evaluation process by our senior scientists, to ensure that the work we do is of relevance, has scientific merit and value to the community. Much of our research is applied in nature, but where a critical need has been identified, ORI will often fund its own fundamental research. Needs driven research tends to follow what is topical at the time, and ORI’s research focus has changed over the last 50 years:

• 1960’s - Shark research including taxonomy, biology, protection; productivity studies
• 1970’s - Basic biology of key resources; estuarine research; endemic fishes 
• 1980’s - Ecosystem dynamics; energy flow; line fish & lobster research
• 1990’s - Long term data series; policy development; pelagic fish research; economics of resource use
• 2000’s - Biodiversity; regional programmes, ecosystem services & health
• 2010’s - Climate change; earth systems; coastal zone management;