Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS, www.imos.org.au) has been operating a wide range of observing equipment throughout Australia’s coastal and open oceans since 2006. Designed as a fully integrated national system, IMOS collects data at ocean-basin and regional scales, measuring physical, chemical and biological variables. All data collected by IMOS is openly and freely available, supporting scientists, industries, and international partners in understanding and managing our oceans. These ocean observations are critical to understanding the state and trends in ocean conditions, informing management and industry decisions. The fisheries and aquaculture sectors are direct beneficiaries of IMOS data. Ocean temperature and sea state products help inform the fishing industry’s daily operations, while operational models and biological observations (e.g. productivity, species occurrence and movement connectivity) support evidence-based management. IMOS data also underpin model forecasts of ocean conditions to improve industry preparedness for environmental changes. Against a backdrop of a rapidly changing climate and its impacts on our oceans, greater understanding of the relationship between fishery productivity and the environment is important. Achieving this is critical to ensure fish stocks are managed sustainably.