Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS

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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS World-class marine and Antarctic teaching and research
www.utas.edu.au/imas

Located at the gateway to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at the University of Tasmania is an internationally-recognised centre of excellence for marine and Antarctic research. With collaborative partners across the globe, we deliver our research to government, industry, institutions and communities. We create exceptional learning opportunities for the next generation of scientists, and we are dedicated to enhancing environmental understanding and facilitating thoughtful and sustainable development for the benefit of Australia and the world.

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16/10/2026

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The abalone fishery in Tasmania has broadly stabilised following years of catch reductions but some areas of the state r...
14/10/2026

The abalone fishery in Tasmania has broadly stabilised following years of catch reductions but some areas of the state remain depleted, a new IMAS assessment of the fishery has found.

The report found fishers landed approximately 743.9 tonnes of abalone in 2025, with early signs of recovery recorded in the Bass Strait and Greenlip zones. Eastern and Northern zones remain under pressure.

“It’s promising to see broad stabilisation across much of the fishery, and early signs of recovery in the Bass Strait and Greenlip zones following catch reductions that began 15 years ago,” said lead author and IMAS researcher Dr Katie Cresswell.

The recommended biological catch for 2026 is 731.3 tonnes statewide, a reduction of just over four per cent compared with the 2025 total allowable catch.

“This reduction reflects the declines in the Eastern and Northern Zones, which is offset by increases in the Bass Strait and Greenlip Zones,” Dr Cresswell said.

🌊Read the full story 👉 https://tinyurl.com/bdf6rd4b
📸 Dr Katie Cresswell and abalone processing at the Tasmanian Seafoods factory. Photo: IMAS

University of Tasmania Fisheries Tasmania

A University of Tasmania researcher is co-leading a new international journal examining how disinformation affects publi...
14/10/2026

A University of Tasmania researcher is co-leading a new international journal examining how disinformation affects public understanding of climate change, health, elections and conflict.

Dr Gabi Mocatta is a Climate Science Communication researcher and one of five co-Editors-in-Chief of Disinformation: An Interdisciplinary Journal launching in January 2027.

“Disinformation can shape how people understand some of the biggest issues facing society, from climate change and public health, to conflict and democratic debate,” Dr Mocatta said.

“But the term itself is contested. We need to ask what gets labelled as disinformation, who applies that label and what the consequences of disinformation are.”

Dr Mocatta said disinformation crosses borders and areas of research, but its causes and effects vary across political, social and cultural settings.

“Bringing these perspectives together, and emphasising a global perspective, will strengthen our understanding of how disinformation works and how societies everywhere can respond."

Find out more: www.utas.edu.au/about/news-and-stories/articles/2026/university-researcher-to-co-lead-international-journal-on-disinformation

Reef ecosystems in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel are prized by local communities for their recreational and environmental ...
12/10/2026

Reef ecosystems in the D’Entrecasteaux Channel are prized by local communities for their recreational and environmental value. But concerns around the health of these ecosystems and the mounting pressures they face have increased over recent decades.

These concerns prompted local tourism operator Robert Pennicott to invest in a comprehensive IMAS-led research program through his philanthropic Pennicott Foundation, to assess the health of the Channel reefs and to understand what may be influencing them.

A series of community forums recently held by IMAS has shed light on this major monitoring program, which is designed to assess reef health in this iconic and highly valued Tasmanian waterway.

At three sold-out forums held on Bruny Island and in Dover and Hobart, the community heard about the latest research in the Channel from IMAS marine ecologist and project lead, Dr Camille White – and had the opportunity to join the conversation during a Q&A session chaired by Robert Pennicott.

“This project is significant in providing robust scientific context to community concerns around reef health in the Channel. Given the level of public interest, it's important that the community comes along for the journey as this project unfolds," said Dr White.

Dive in to find out more and join the mailing list for updates 🤿
https://tinyurl.com/ymeepde4

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys University of Tasmania

09/10/2026

This is a Seadragon observed near Bicheno, Tasmania, close to one of the Giant Kelp outplanting sites, with Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies - IMAS field technician Jamie Smallhorn-West in the background.

Given their life history, and unique camouflage, Seadragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) are known to benefit greatly from kelp bed habitats, and our Giant kelp forest restoration efforts consider Seadragons to be of particular ecological interest and significance.

That, and they are really cool! Nature has the best imagination.

Huge congratulations to our world-leading ocean and climate scientist, Professor Nathan Bindoff, on his election as one ...
07/10/2026

Huge congratulations to our world-leading ocean and climate scientist, Professor Nathan Bindoff, on his election as one of 34 Fellows of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) ✨

Recognised as an ocean climate detective, Professor Bindoff has made an exceptional contribution to the detection, attribution and impact of climate change.

He has documented global ocean shifts, including marine heatwaves, the reduction of oxygen levels in the ocean, and the acceleration of the global water cycle – and has transformed global oceanographic data management.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been elected as a Fellow of ATSE,” said Professor Bindoff, who is an ARC Laureate Fellow at the University of Tasmania.

His current research focus is precision climate tracking, which will develop near real-time indicators of the oceans response to our efforts to reduce emissions.

"This will provide governments with the evidence that reductions in emissions are working. And to do this on time to be policy relevant. That’s the aim and our responsibility,” he said.

Read more 🔷 https://tinyurl.com/Prof-Nathan-Bindoff-FTSE

Australian Academy of Technological Sciences & Engineering University of Tasmania

07/10/2026

Have you ever wondered what Southern Bluefin Tuna is eating in Tasmanian waters?

Our researchers are finding out, with the first results from the Southern Bluefin Tuna Diet Study now available.

The first 57 stomach samples donated by Tasmanian fishers have been analysed, but these early findings are just the beginning.

As more samples are collected and donated from around the state, we'll have a clearer understanding of how Southern Bluefin Tuna feeding habits vary across seasons and locations.

📄 Read the initiation report: https://tinyurl.com/2mcekt2h

🎣Want to help? Join the study and send in the stomach from your next tuna trip👉 https://tinyurl.com/3s2p5rt6

Fisheries Tasmania

When scientists discovered that increasing the ocean’s natural alkalinity could enhance seawater’s capacity to absorb an...
06/10/2026

When scientists discovered that increasing the ocean’s natural alkalinity could enhance seawater’s capacity to absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO₂), the idea quickly gained attention as a potential geoengineering solution to climate change 🌊

Early visions suggested it could remove gigatonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere each year. But the reality is far more complex.

In a new study published in Nature Reviews: Earth & Environment, our scientists urge that the focus of ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) be shifted from a science fiction-flavoured geoengineering intervention to a practical, flexible tool for local CO₂ management.

“Incentivising small-scale projects is key to building the uptake of OAE, without an implied obligation to scale up to unrealistic targets,” said IMAS biogeochemical oceanographer and lead author Assoc Prof Lennart Bach.

“For example, a city council might realise that its emissions from domestic wastewater could be mitigated through alkalinity from silicates. Or a regional wind farm might not need to be shut off during excess wind, if the energy is used to increase seawater alkalinity electrochemically.

“Upscaling could be achieved across these local areas, but only if those pathways are environmentally responsible, demonstrably carbon negative, and receive public trust."

🤿 Dive in to learn more: https://tinyurl.com/4kbpzx5s
📌 Jump into the paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-026-00828-5

📸 (1) IMAS diver adding limestone to sediment for OAE research, credit Damon Britton and (2) divers doing sediment porewater sampling, credit Marianne Pelletier

University of Tasmania

From revealing shipwreck ecology to investigating microplastics in ocean waters 🌊⛴Twenty students from across Australia ...
04/10/2026

From revealing shipwreck ecology to investigating microplastics in ocean waters 🌊⛴

Twenty students from across Australia have returned from a 14-day voyage aboard CSIRO's research vessel (RV) Investigator, travelling from Brisbane to Fiji.

It’s the first time CAPSTAN - the Collaborative Australian Postgraduate Sea-Training Alliance Network – has taken students into international waters.

Students conducted several shipwreck surveys, giving them experience conducting underwater cultural heritage surveys, investigated microplastics in ocean waters and conducted environmental DNA research.

Check out CAPSTAN in action💥

📸 Chris Firth from QUT.

Australian-New Zealand International Scientific Drilling Consortium University of Tasmania

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20 Castray Esplanade
Hobart, TAS
7001

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