Dr. Rick Officer:

The Senator's question presupposes that the institute is acting on the behalf of a particular sectoral interest. I do not see the purpose of the institute in that way at all. Our role is simply to provide the evidence base that supports good decision-making for marine and maritime affairs, including fisheries and aquaculture and new things emerging around marine spatial planning. The first cab on the rank here seems to be offshore renewable energy. While we will apply particular survey techniques for a fisheries survey, which is sampling the catch, and we will apply geophysical survey techniques for offshore renewable energy, their purpose is all to inform the good location and coexistence of these different sectors. It is to enable a reasonable, reasoned decision-making to occur. It is important the institute is independent of a sectoral interest. We simply offer robust, well-collected science to enable the decision-makers to reach those decisions. I do not see it as being either-or; it is in concert.