First Nations voices shape Australia's ocean plan

Australia has launched its first-ever Sustainable Ocean Plan for our ocean and ocean economy. The plan will help all Australians work together towards improving the health of our ocean, and supporting a strong and fair ocean economy. Our ocean is central to our cultural, environmental, social and economic wellbeing. But it is under increasing pressure and the challenges for ecological sustainability are growing.

The Sustainable Ocean Plan will guide our collective action and:

• improve coordination across jurisdictions, sectors and groups
• address increasing challenges faced by our ocean and coasts
• grow our $229-billion ocean economy sustainably
• strengthen how we prepare and respond to extreme marine events
• adapt to and mitigate climate change
• build resilience in marine ecosystems and coastal communities
• ensure more people have a voice in how our ocean is managed.

A key focus area within the plan is reflecting and honouring First Nations peoples’ and communities’ cultures and perspectives, acknowledging their longstanding connections to sea Country and sustainable ocean management.

The launch of the plan follows extensive engagement with First Nations peoples, ocean custodians, users, managers, scientists and organisations across the country.

Saltwater people have long balanced economic aspirations with respectful stewardship of the marine environment for countless generations. Recognising this enduring connection and the deep Traditional Knowledge First Nations people hold, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) worked with a dedicated First Nations Sustainable Ocean Reference Group to develop the plan.

Engagement was undertaken through yarning circles, workshops and forums across Australia to hear a wide range of views. These important conversations helped create a shared vision for Australia’s ocean, identified priority areas for action, and shaped the shared outcomes of the plan.

Expressions of interest are now open for the National Ocean Advisory Group

Two new governance bodies will guide actions under the plan.

These are:

• The National Ocean Steering Committee, which brings together the Australian, state, territory and local governments.
• The National Ocean Advisory Group, which will bring together a diverse range of stakeholders and expertise to provide advice on implementing the Sustainable Ocean Plan and addressing key ocean issues.

Expressions of interest are now open for the National Ocean Advisory Group. The advisory group will be a regular forum for cross-sectoral conversations and will help identify emerging risks, opportunities and priorities for sustainable ocean management.

DCCEEW is seeking expressions of interest from people with experience and expertise in the Sustainable Ocean Plan's focus areas.

These are:

• climate action
• protection, restoration and resilience
• ocean industries
• First Nations
• collaboration
• equity and inclusion
• knowledge
• finance.

The advisory group will bring together:

• First Nations peoples
• marine sectors, such as fishing, aquaculture, shipping, ports, tourism, recreation, defence, restoration and energy
• non-government organisations
• researchers and scientists
• young people.

Expressions of interest close at 5.30pm (AEDT), Thursday 19 November 2026.

To view the full role description and submit an expression of interest, visit e-Recruit.

More information

​Visit the Australia's Sustainable Ocean Plan launches and Expressions of interest open for National Ocean Advisory Group pages on DCCEEW website for more information.