Over the last decade significant evidence has shown that Antarctic marginal seas have been impacted by the effects of global warming, which has motivated more ocean research in those regions. In 2019, a national Antarctic Science Platform was introduced to support climate-focused Antarctic research. In addition, the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area requires underpinning research activity. This paper examines three themes.
(1) Southern Ocean Oceanography – summary of past work, then the development of emerging systematic observations, simulations, RV Tangaroa voyages, ice-shelf oceanography, Argo in the Ross Sea and the new Antarctic Modelling Hub.
(2) Networking efforts – Participation in international initiatives (e.g. CCAMLR) as well as long-term strategic collaborations with Italy, Korea, USA, and Australia.
(3) Challenges – There are a number of challenges, such as the Scott Base rebuild, limited funding, impacts of Covid global pandemic period, vessel schedules, diversity and connection to first nations values.