Minderoo Foundation’s Exmouth Research Lab to unlock solutions to the challenges facing the world’s oceans

A marine research laboratory dedicated to unlocking solutions to the biggest challenges facing the world’s oceans has today opened in Exmouth. The Minderoo Foundation Exmouth Research Lab will bring marine researchers and scientists from around the world to the Ningaloo coast, where they will study ocean health resilience. Equipped with aquaria technology, the lab will bring a level of environment control required to simulate conditions associated with climate change, including temperature and acidification. Minderoo Foundation chairman Dr Andrew Forrest said the facility will shine a light into the Indian Ocean. “The Indian Ocean is the inheritance of every single West Australian and every single Australian and yet, for the last 50 years, it’s been going backwards,” he said. “We need to understand what the Ningaloo Reef is all about. “We need to understand the full marine life and impacts on marine life, the full depth and the coastal regions of the Indian Ocean and that’s what the Minderoo Exmouth Research Laboratory will achieve.” Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the lab was an important asset and played a critical role in supporting economic diversification in the community. “Minderoo Foundation’s commitment to marine conservation represents an extraordinary philanthropic and scientific contribution to the planet’s health,” she said. “We commend the Shire of Exmouth and Minderoo Foundation for their hard work and collaboration in bringing the lab to life and putting the Gascoyne front and centre in global marine conservation research.” Shire of Exmouth president Matthew Niikkula said the lab would bring year-round economic stimulus to town through visiting academics and researchers. “This is the signature project and economic diversification the Shire of Exmouth has been working hard to attract for decades,” he said. “It’s the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for our town and region.” DLR Building was awarded the $2.5 million contract to deliver the research hub, creating up to 30 jobs during construction.