Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania

The Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at the University of Tasmania is internationally recognised for excellence in marine and Antarctic research.

IMAS has three core research programs in Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ecology and Biodiversity, and Oceans and Cryosphere. These are linked by the cross-disciplinary themes of Climate Change, Ocean-Earth Systems and Oceans and Antarctic Governance.

Our vision is to be an internationally recognised centre of excellence for marine and Antarctic research and education, developing environmental understanding and facilitating sustainable development for the benefit of industry, governments and communities in Tasmania, Australia and the world.

We are working to address the major questions in temperate marine and Antarctic science, with research focused on living marine resources management, systems ecology, oceanographic connectivity and process dynamics and climate studies.

With collaborative partners across the globe, we deliver our research to government, industry, academic institutions and communities to inform resource management, conservation and climate change decision making.

Capabilities

• Science, education and training to improve our understanding of the role of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean in the global climate system, including implications for marine ecosystems – required for these regions which are critical to the health of our planet, and because changes have significant global consequences.

• Science, education and training to advance the sustainable development of marine resources – required to drive economic prosperity, support resilient food systems, meet growing global demand, and support cultural and recreational pursuits.

• Regeneration science – required to redress the declining health of temperate marine ecosystems due to climate change, habitat degradation and other stressors.

• Big data, sensors, artificial intelligence and next generation modelling capabilities – required to ensure data and information becomes knowledge that informs decision making.

• Governance, socio-ecology and economics – required for creating jurisdictional plans for Antarctica, the Southern Ocean and Tasmanian waters.

• Strategic partnerships, co-delivery models and science translation and communication – required to deliver impact for people, planet and prosperity.

Approach

• Adopt a ‘one health’ approach that recognises people, animals and the environment are interconnected, and ensures that resources are shared and access is equitable.

• Follow an integrated and transdisciplinary approach that incorporates observations, process studies, use of big data, and state-of-the-art computer models.

• Facilitate local adaption to climate change through a regenerative approach.

• Draw on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge to help us create sustainable ecosystems.

• Educate and train the next generation to support marine and coastal industries, governments, international climate risk assessments, and progress towards a sustainable planet.

• Support scientific evidence-based decision making and a well-informed community.

• Pilot innovative scalable interventions at local, national and international levels to foster sustainable ecosystems and social systems.