Work is underway to transform the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at Taroona into a world-class fisheries and aquaculture research and teaching precinct.
The University of Tasmania is upgrading the site to increase the institute’s research capability, enhance its learning programs and improve student, staff and community accessibility.
A new teaching and research facility is being built to support the delivery of learning programs, along with efforts to preserve the local marine environment while ensuring wild capture fisheries and aquaculture industries are sustainable in the face of a changing climate. The new facilities will also deepen the critical conservation research into endangered species endemic to Tasmania, such as the red hand fish and Maugean skate.
A new state-of-the-art krill research aquarium will be co-located at the precinct in partnership with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Australian Antarctic Division (AAD).
This will enable world-leading research into the conservation and management of Antarctic krill, which are critical to Southern Ocean ecosystems and food security, and will build our understanding of climate change impacts.
Professor Sean Tracey, Fisheries and Aquaculture Centre Head at IMAS Taroona, said the upgrades were needed to help the institute continue shaping a positive future.
“The upgrades will deliver contemporary facilities that support critical research that is helping to solve the challenges our marine environment and fisheries and aquaculture industries are facing, while also training future scientists, industry leaders and policy makers,” Professor Tracey said.
“The new building will host a teaching lab, wet lab and research facilities, which will enable current research to be integrated into our teaching programs, making them applicable to real-world scenarios.
“Components from the Marine Resource Management and Sustainable Aquaculture majors within the Bachelor of Marine and Antarctic Studies, and the Master of Marine and Antarctic Studies, will be delivered inside, equipping students with unique learning experiences as they study alongside local and international research leaders in these fields.”
Tasmanian firm VOS Construction & Joinery is delivering the construction of the development. A range of community conversations has helped inform the final designs produced by local architecture firm Preston Lane.
Play Street is responsible for the landscape design which will see parts of the site regenerated with native plants.
Project Manager Ben Greaves from the University’s Campus Services team said work was on track for completion in 2026.
“Campus Services is delighted to be overseeing this important project for the University and Tasmania with far-reaching positive benefits for students, staff, the community and our local environment,” Ben said.
The redevelopment includes the addition of a new site entrance and car park which will be available for the local community to use after hours.
Visit the IMAS Taroona transformation website for more construction information or to register for a community drop-in session to hear about site progress from the project team.
