The Australian Marine Sciences Association (AMSA) is a national non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting marine science and coordinating discussion and debate of marine issues in Australia. AMSA exists to help finding most compatible impacts of human activities on the oceans as seventy percent of the Earth’s population lives in coastal cities supported by marine resources such as fishing, harbors for shipping, tourism and waste processing. AMSA has been active since 1962 and it is the largest and most broadly representative national professional body of marine scientists in Australia, with a multi-disciplinary membership of about 850. AMSA has three main objectives: to promote, develop and assist in the study of all branches of marine science in Australia; provide for the exchange of information and ideas between those concerned with marine science; and to engage in public debate where we have specialist knowledge. AMSA promotes liaison and cooperation through a regular Bulletin (3 times per year), an annual National Conference, the AMSA website and an electronic discussion list. AMSA is also locally active through regular meetings and events held by State and Territory branches. AMSA supports marine scientists of the future through its publication Careers in Marine Science, now in its 5th edition. AMSA also presents a range of highly regarded annual awards to professionals and students. The Association is represented on the Federation of Australian Scientific and Technological Societies (FASTS), which plays an active role in developing science policy