As a research institute of excellence in temperate marine research, IMAS works with the Tasmanian Government through the Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration Agreement (SMRCA) to ensure Tasmania's marine resources and industries are sustainably developed and managed.
SMRCA Director Professor Sean Tracey says that, as SMRCA partners, IMAS and the University of Tasmania aim to:
- conduct leading, world-class research into temperate marine and coastal research
- support the effective and sustainable management of Tasmanian marine resources and ensure that the maximum benefit accrues to the Tasmanian environment and economy, and its industries
- provide fisheries, aquaculture, estuarine and coastal environmental research and development services to the Crown, the University, and the fishing and aquaculture industries
- support the Crown's legislative and administrative obligations through the provision of research, data and advice
- assist in developing and encouraging new industry and marketing Tasmania's natural marine resources in a way that is sustainable now and for future generations
- build the capacity of people working in temperate marine research, including postgraduate students, and
- encourage partnerships, linkages and integrated arrangements which would facilitate achievement of the Agreement through industry engagement.
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Dive in to discover more about our fisheries and aquaculture research
Tasmanian Fisheries and Aquaculture Research
IMAS researchers and industry stakeholders talk about the world class fisheries and aquaculture research carried out by IMAS through the University of Tasmania's collaboration agreement with the Tasmanian Government.
Tasmanian Salmon - the research story
Successfully introduced into Australia in the 1960s, Atlantic Salmon have become one of the country’s highest value and volume fisheries products. When the eggs from those first fish were brought to Tasmania in 1987, our scientists nurtured and grew the salmon in small tanks.
From those small beginnings at what is now the IMAS Fisheries and Aquaculture Centre, our scientists have been helping to address the many challenges of salmon farming for more than 20 years. This has led to innovative science and ongoing monitoring, to provide data that can improve the industry’s sustainability while informing government, industry and the community.
Hook, Line And Satellite - IMAS recreational fisheries research
IMAS scientist Professor Sean Tracey explains how linking in with the recreational fishing community benefits science and sustainable management of the fishery.
Fishers care about the sustainability of the recreational fishing industry, because they know the importance of ensuring there are plenty of fish left to catch tomorrow, next year, and into the future.
Listening to the Harbour - Environmental Research in Macquarie Harbour
IMAS researcher Professor Jeff Ross describes the important natural features of Tasmania's Macquarie Harbour, the environmental responses to salmon farming, and the role that science is playing in determining the level of farming that is ecologically sustainable in the harbour into the future.
Keeping an eye on the environment in Storm Bay
Join our IMAS research team as they deep dive into our new IMAS environmental monitoring program in Storm Bay, which is revealing exactly how the local marine environment is responding to salmon aquaculture.
It has set a baseline that future monitoring results will be assessed against – and will serve as an early warning system to detect any signs of enrichment from excess nutrients and organic matter.
Oysters In Hot Water
Along with Tasmanian oyster farmers and the Tasmanian Government, IMAS helped tackle devastating outbreaks of the Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) in Tasmania. These vital research projects improved the understanding of the disease and developed the most effective responses to it.
Data collection by lobster fishers - improving stock modelling and management
This IMAS project aims to protect the southern rock lobster industry against the growing and severe problem of harmful algal blooms. The first economic and social assessment report of Tasmanian fisheries released in 2018 noted the rapid expansion in economic yield and market capitalisation of the lobster industry over the previous six years.
Bioeconomic modelling was used to develop targets in the harvest strategy in 2011 with capitalisation growing from approximately $200 million in 2012 to almost $1 billion in 2018. This type of modelling was only possible because of the extensive data collection program run through IMAS with a huge input from many fishers.
Looking Out For The Little Guys
IMAS does a wide range of research on common species like abalone and rock lobster. But we also do research on minor species that are equally important, such as periwinkles, cockles, urchin, scallops and more.
Why did IMAS researchers tag 3,000 periwinkles, how could putting urchin on the menu help protect our reefs, and why is seismic testing for oil and gas a threat to scallops? Watch Looking Out for the Little Guys to find out.
