The impact of run-off and point source pollution from urban, agricultural and industrial activities places substantial pressure on the marine environment. Population growth, both here and overseas, will inevitably place increasing demands and pressures on Australia's marine resources. Action now to put in place a comprehensive system for integrated ocean planning and management will reduce the risk of a progressive decline and irreversible damage to our marine systems. In this way we will also be able to prevent environmental, economic, social and cultural losses that would reduce options for future use. They are highly export oriented and are major providers of jobs, often in coastal communities.
Marine industries have excellent potential to contribute to future economic and employment growth.
In particular, marine tourism and aquaculture can create new jobs in regional Australia. This will be very important in regions where alternative investment and employment opportunities are limited. Australia is competitive by world standards in many marine industries. Current strengths include the designing and building of high speed aluminium ships and ferries, offshore oil and gas, marine research, tourism, environmental management, algal aquaculture, fish farming and fisheries management. Growth in marine industries of eight per cent per annum has been recorded in recent years.