Since 2006, SARDI has developed a significant field capability through the implementation of the Southern Australian Integrated Marine Observing System (SAIMOS). Coupled hydrodynamic, wave, biogeochemical and larval transport models have also been developed to address research, industry and government needs for the sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture, and the health of the marine ecosystems of Southern Australia. Central to these efforts is the on-going development of the (< 3 km grid) Southern Australian Regional Ocean Model (SAROM) for the shelves and Gulfs. SAROM has been validated against the IMOS data streams of currents, temperature and salinity, and provides information along the seaward boundaries of finer scale models for Spencer Gulf and Coffin Bay. Indeed, a PIRSA/FRDC funded project delivered a high resolution (< 1 km) coupled and validated hydrodynamic/wave/biogeochemical model of Spencer Gulf: information along the Gulf mouth was obtained from the SAROM and SAIMOS biogeochemical data. The model was used to evaluate the ecological carrying capacity of the Gulf based on natural and anthropogenic nutrient sources (finfish aquaculture and waste water). The studies were presented to government as a GUI tool (“CarCap”) to assist in the regulation of finfish aquaculture in the gulf (where, how much?). The models developed were also used to simulate prawn larval dispersal in upper Spencer Gulf to demonstrate the optimal areas for prawn fishing efforts so as to maintain sustainability. In collaboration with the BoM, the predictive OceanMAPS global model is being coupled with the suite of models (validated against SAIMOS) to provide a now-cast/forecast model to assist in addressing fishing industry needs: where do the harmful algal blooms go, how do we respond to them, what are the optimal fishing vessel routes to minimise fuel consumption? Other applications including sardine habitat prediction will be outlined (based on water temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a, depth), as well as planned applications to seagrass habitat and oyster aquaculture.