Using an Australian Massive Open Online Course to upskill marine science in the use of openly available marine data

Covering over one million square kilometres, Australia’s marine jurisdiction is one of the largest in the world. By 2025, the marine industry will contribute an estimated ~$100 billion per annum to the national economy. The importance of the oceans is beyond economic, providing us with services such as 50% of the oxygen we breathe, sequestering over 26% of the CO2 emitted into the atmosphere, regulating our climate, as well as providing the recreational and cultural services that we all enjoy. In Australia, more than 85% of the population live within 50 kilometres of the coast, and our climate is greatly influenced by our surrounding ocean. This makes it critical that we understand its dynamics and functions, its ecosystems, and the effect human activities are having to its health.