Dr Keith Sainsbury has conducted research on the assessment, ecology, exploitation and conservation of marine resources and ecosystems for more than 25 years.

He advised on the principles of multiple use planning and management during formulation of Australia’s National Oceans Policy and his research has advanced the identification of Marine Protected Areas and the use of modelling to refine integrated management strategies for regional marine planning.

Dr Sainsbury led a research team to develop and test management strategies for multiple use management of Australia’s North West Shelf, including oil and gas, fisheries, aquaculture, coastal development and conservation. Earlier he pioneered the use of adaptive management in a large trawl fishery and led scientific assessments of Australia's tuna and billfish resources.

Dr Sainsbury was awarded the 2004 Japan Prize for furthering the understanding and sustainable use of shelf ecosystems. He is a board member of the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and the Marine Stewardship Council, (an international body that certifies sustainable fisheries) and has advised the Food and Agriculture Organisation on precautionary and ecosystem approaches to fisheries management.

He is a member of the panel appointed by the Minister for the Environment to help establish Australia’s national representative system of Marine Protected Areas.