About ANCORS

The Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) is Australia’s only multi-disciplinary university-based centre dedicated to research, debate and education on national and international ocean law, security and cooperation, and natural marine resource management. We also offer high level policy development advice for these matters. ANCORS provides vital intellectual support to Australia, countries, agencies and clients in the western Pacific, Indian and Southern Ocean region and beyond to help them manage, protect, and derive sustainable benefits from marine jurisdictions.

Our Vision is:

“To be the acknowledged leader in Australia and internationally in research, education and high level advice on oceans governance and maritime security.”

Our Mission is:

 “To provide high quality research, education, training and advice on oceans governance and maritime security of benefit to Australia and the wider region.”

What our Mission Means in Practice:

“Providing high quality” is not just about focusing on the immediate needs of our clients, but on building long-term relationships, anticipating their future needs and providing them with excellent knowledge services including innovative business and policy focused solutions.

Our core business is to provide research, education, training and adviceto Australian and regional government and private sector decision makers, and those seeking to do business in the region, and of benefit to the wider public.

Our purpose is to improve understanding and decision making of public and private sector leaders, and the wider public in order to position Australia and the region for sustainable optimum maritime resource and security outcomes for the future.

Note: The “wider region” refers to the western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean regions. The global nature of the maritime environment, its governance and security means that ANCORS must have a global perspective. We serve clients and participate in activities beyond the region.

Where we have come from:

ANCORS evolved from the Centre for Maritime Policy (CMP), established in 1994. The role of the new centre has been expanded significantly in recognition of the rapidly changing international environment, which includes increasing priority on oceans governance and maritime security.

What we do:

The Centre has forged a strong reputation for leading edge research, education, training and advisory services with the following core strengths.

Capacity building capabilities include education and training in the law of the sea, maritime security and strategy, international fisheries law and policy, maritime boundary delimitation, regulation of shipping, ecosystem based management and multiple use management of marine resources.

The University of Wollongong offers the only multidisciplinary maritime postgraduate degree programme in Australia, and is one of only a very small number of universities around the world to do so. It combines aspects of marine policy, law, science, economics and security to offer a genuinely comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to the study of maritime issues. ANCORS has a highly qualified staff, headed by Professor Martin Tsamenyi, and maintains a cadre of Professorial Fellows of international repute in marine affairs.