Scientists and managers are exploring innovative engineering solutions for tackling one of the ocean's growing problems. Declining dissolved oxygen (or ‘deoxygenation’) is an increasing and concerning phenomenon in many freshwater, coastal and oceanic environments. Critical for the survival and functioning of all living organisms and ecosystems, oxygen levels are impacted by a wide range of […]
Researchers say a commercially valuable seaweed could offer a natural solution to nitrogen pollution while supporting a growing aquaculture industry. A type of red seaweed already attracting attention for reducing methane emissions from cattle could soon have another important job – helping clean up Australia's coastal waters. A new study from the University of Tasmania’s […]
A deep love of our Tasmanian waters has inspired Robert Pennicott’s Foundation to support scientists in better understanding the reefs of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, to protect this precious marine environment for future generations. The Pennicott Foundation will provide funding of $899,000 over five years to assess the current state of reef health in the D’Entrecasteaux […]
A new literature review series brings together current scientific research on how marine farming interacts with marine environments – and it will help to inform the sustainable management of the aquaculture industry in Tasmania. Developed by the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) and launched this week, the Aquaculture Environment Review Series collates […]
A new field guide released this week brings together established and emerging scientific techniques for assessing how finfish aquaculture interacts with marine environments, from soft sediments and seagrass beds to inshore rocky reefs and deep reefs. The Guide to the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment for Finfish Aquaculture was developed by the University of Tasmania’s Institute […]
A new study, led by Robin Cappaert (IMAS/UTAS PhD student), has developed an innovative AI-based tool to automatically assess net occlusion in salmon aquaculture pens. The research forms part of Robin’s PhD project and focuses on improving the way marine biofouling (organisms that grow on underwater surfaces) is monitored and managed. The tool uses deep […]
Have you ever looked at the ocean surface and wondered what lies beneath? Do you ever ponder what life is like as a marine scientist operating from an underwater office? Tasmania’s population is concentrated along the coast and some incredible marine environments are found right on our doorstep. However, for most people, these environments are […]
IMAS scientists have recently closed several key data gaps for the red seaweed species, Asparagopsis armata, which is at the centre of an emerging aquaculture industry due to its potential to contribute to global methane emissions reductions. The Asparagopsis Bioregional Project, a partnership between IMAS scientists, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania and […]
As our climate changes, marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent and longer lasting, with potentially severe impacts on marine ecosystems and the fisheries they support. This could include changes to the survival, behaviour and distribution of marine species targeted by commercial fishing, along with the food sources they rely on. South-eastern Australia is recognised as […]
Want to know more about the oxygenation trials in Macquarie Harbour? Listen to our team leader, IMAS Associate Professor Jeff Ross, on ABC Radio as he explains what the project is about, how it all works and what it might look like in the future. How Macquarie Harbour's oxygenation trial is helping the Maugean skate […]
