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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

@imas-utas.bsky.social
208 followers 74 following 35 posts

Located at the gateway to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, IMAS is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence for marine and Antarctic research and teaching: www.utas.edu.au/imas CRICOS provider code: 00586B

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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
How has the growing inclination among some commentators to interpret Antarctica through a security lens reshaped the policy landscape? And is the security narrative itself a threat to Antarctic stability? Discover more with our Antarctic governance experts: tinyurl.com/58vxdt5c
lowyinstitute.org
Is the security narrative itself a threat to Antarctic stability?
After more than six decades of peace on the continent, Australia must flex its diplomatic muscle to maintain the status quo.
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Reposted by Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership @antarctic.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
"Rain, once rare in Antarctica, is becoming a force capable of reshaping life on the peninsula. Limiting warming to below 1.5°C won’t prevent these changes entirely. But it could slow how quickly rainfall transforms the frozen continent." —@iceybethan.bsky.social theconversation.com/rain-is-comi...
theconversation.com
Rain is coming to Antarctica – here’s how it will change the frozen continent
In the Antarctic Peninsula, precipitation is increasingly falling as rain rather than snow, with consequences for glaciers, penguins and even scientists.
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 16/11/2025
A stereoscopic camera system that mimics human vision, combined with AI, is transforming how scientists and industry collect important data on Giant Crabs across southern Australia. Giant crab fisheries lack consistent and representative length-frequency data. Read the story 👉 tinyurl.com/38w6fxe6
Lead technician Ben Quigley and Giant Crab. Credit: IMAS.Lead technician Ben Quigley and Giant Crab. Credit: IMAS.The fisher-operated imaging system, developed by IMAS researchers including lead technician Ben Quigley, is making it easier to capture crab length and sex. Photo: Adam GibsonThe fisher-operated imaging system, developed by IMAS researchers including lead technician Ben Quigley, is making it easier to capture crab length and sex. Photo: Adam Gibson
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
IMAS science has taken centre stage alongside industry at the 10th Tasmanian Seafood Awards. Two of our research teams have been recognised for their outstanding contributions after winning two awards. Read the full story 👉 tinyurl.com/y6j3nxu5 📸 Nina Hamilton
IMAS Executive Director Professor Nicole Webster, Dr Alison Turnbull, Associate Professor Scott Ling, Dr John Keane and Dr Sarah Ugalde. Credit: Nina Hamilton.
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
It was an adventure of a lifetime for George Hamaty, who returned home after being aboard CSIRO research vessel Investigator researching life in the aftermath of Tonga’s explosive volcanic eruption. George joined the voyage as a co-biologist. Read about George's experience 👉 tinyurl.com/3c97pubc
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
Sea Change Australia has launched a national call for questions from the country’s seafood sector. The call invites commercial and recreational fishers, aquaculture operators, processors, and supply chain workers to ask their most pressing questions about climate change and how to adapt. QR code 👇
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
An IMAS-led study reveals the environmental footprint of fish feeds depends more on where feed ingredients are sourced than on whether they are fish- or plant-based. It shows that knowing where & how ingredients are produced is key to reducing environmental footprint 🐠https://tinyurl.com/3fk5sjn9
Aquaculture pens. Photo: ShutterstockScoop of fish feed. Photo: Shutterstock
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
The Guide to Environmental Monitoring and Assessment for Finfish Aquaculture is out now! It brings together scientific techniques for assessing how finfish aquaculture interacts with marine environments, from soft sediments & seagrass beds to inshore rocky reefs & deep reefs: tinyurl.com/8d7pes9x
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
Seabirds foraging at sea face deadly threats from eating plastics & being caught up in fisheries bycatch. A new Honours study reveals colour influences their food choices, and avoiding preferred colours in items like fishing gear & weather balloons could prevent seabird deaths🪶 tinyurl.com/k29kxyh6
Photos by Elliot Styles and Karina Sorrell
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 03/10/2025
In a major step for marine conservation, IMAS scientists have released 65 captive-raised red handfish into the wild! It was an exciting moment after an incredible effort by many people over many years - and it's given the red handfish the best possible chance of survival: tinyurl.com/mpbyb56z
IMAS diver Tyson Bessell releasing handfish. Credit: Francisco AlbergoliAssoc Prof Andrew Trotter inspecting handfish before release into the wild. Credit: Jemina Stuart-SmithOur super happy IMAS handfish dive & aquaculture team after releasing the 65 red handfish to the wild. Credit: Jeremy Smith
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Two of our IMAS scientists will soon embark on a multi-year journey with other leading climate experts to draft the 7th #IPCC #climatereport. Profs Melissa Hart & Gretta Pecl will be lead authors for Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation & Vulnerability 🪼 www.ipcc.ch/2025/08/18/pr-ar7-authors/ 🪸
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
From the fjords of Norway to the reefs of Bali, Andrew Sullivan’s PhD with IMAS @utas.edu.au is taking him around the world as he investigates how nations are developing policy for a sustainable ocean - and it will help inform future ocean governance. Discover more: tinyurl.com/53xf5svj
Andrew Sullivan's research is part of an investigation into how countries are managing their ocean spaces School of fish. Credit: Amanda Cotton | Ocean Image Bank
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Reposted by Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership @antarctic.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
1️⃣ "Antarctica might seem a long way away, but really the changes that happen there have consequences for everyone on the planet." — Nerilie Abram, AAD Chief Scientist, ABC Radio 🌊 Rising seas are a planetary impact of global heating. The contribution of melting ice in Antarctica is growing. 🎞️ NASA
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Reposted by Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership @antarctic.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
2️⃣ But it's much more than sea-level rise. " #Antarctica has long been seen as a remote, unchanging environment. Not any more. The ice-covered continent and the surrounding Southern Ocean are undergoing abrupt and alarming changes" — @aunz.theconversation.com ▶️ theconversation.com/from-sea-ice...
theconversation.com
From sea ice to ocean currents, Antarctica is now undergoing abrupt changes – and we’ll all feel them
The vast ice of Antarctica has long seemed impregnable. But sudden changes are arriving – from shrinking sea ice to melting ice sheets and slowing ocean currents.
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Reposted by Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership @antarctic.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
3️⃣ 'Emerging evidence of abrupt changes in the Antarctic environment' is published in nature.com today, led by @climatenerilie.bsky.social with authors from @antarcticsciaus.bsky.social, @arcsaef.bsky.social, AAD, @imas-utas.bsky.social, @ccrc.bsky.social & other key research groups. ▶️ rdcu.be/eBCJA
rdcu.be
Emerging evidence of abrupt changes in the Antarctic environment
Nature - Abrupt changes are developing across Antarctica’s ice, ocean and biological systems; some of these changes are intensifying faster than equivalent Arctic changes, potentially...
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
Deep-sea skates caught accidentally in Southern Ocean fisheries are usually released if they appear unharmed. But their chances of survival after release were unclear until now. IMAS PhD research shows only 1 in 4 survive, and it will improve skate bycatch mmt strategies doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
IMAS PhD candidate, Colette Appert trialling the best tag attachment on an adult Kerguelen Sandpaper Skate. (Photo: Jaimie Cleeland)The Kerguelen Sandpaper Skate is native to Heard and McDonald Islands in the Southern Ocean, and its slow growth and maturation make it highly susceptible to fishing pressure. Photo: Measuring a deceased juvenile Skate by Colette AppertTrialling a pop-up archival satellite tag attachment on the tail of a deceased Skate. (Photo: Colette Appert)
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 14/08/2025
A Trans-Tasman collaboration between IMAS & @aucklanduni.bsky.social researchers shows Longspined Sea Urchins are a huge threat to NE #NewZealand marine ecosystems. And as the region is at lower latitudes, the impact there could outstrip what we've seen in #Tasmania. Study: doi.org/10.1016/j.je...
Urchin barrens in NE Tasmania. Credit: Matt Testoni IMASUrchin barrens in NE New Zealand. Credit: Crispin Middleton | SeacologyNZ
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 31/07/2025
How do international Antarctic partnerships benefit the life and work of researchers? IMAS/AAPP researcher Dr Alex Fraser said they are "a fantastic way to broaden collaborative networks, especially for young scientists." ❄️ tinyurl.com/suac8efs @antarctic.bsky.social @utas.edu.au
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Australian Centre for Excellence in Antarctic Science (ACEAS) @antarcticsciaus.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
"We are addressing a critical challenge": the future of marine ecosystem modelling 🐟 - @fishmarinemip.bsky.social Find out what happens when dozens of marine ecosystem specialists from around the world come together ⬇️ @imas-utas.bsky.social | @utas.edu.au | @antarctic.bsky.social bit.ly/4f3EaXD
antarctic.org.au
"We are addressing a critical challenge": the future of marine ecosystem modelling - ACEAS
“We are addressing a critical challenge”: the future of marine ecosystem modelling Marine ecosystem researchers from around the world have gathered in Hobart to discuss the big challenges facing those...
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Reposted by Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
Australian Antarctic Program Partnership @antarctic.bsky.social · 22/07/2025
#Antarctic sea ice is: ⚙️ a global climate engine ☂️ a cooling sunshade 🌀 a pumphouse for currents 🧊 a vast verandah for life ♻️ one of the largest seasonal cycles on Earth 🌬️ highly sensitive to climate variability 🌊 What happens when there's less sea ice? aapp.shorthandstories.com/a-world-with...
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
By turning recycled marine samples into a classroom resource, Megan Chang is creating educational tools for the next generation of fisheries scientists. Megan reused old research samples and materials, including underwater footage. See what she did 👉 tinyurl.com/mrx98y3b
 Students using the microscope in the lab. Credit: Adam Gibson Students using the microscope in the lab. Credit: Adam GibsonGalapagos Sharks captured by IMAS researchers using baited remote under video (BRUV)For Megan Chang, the Professional Masters stream at IMAS was an exciting pathway to a career in the aquaculture industry.
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
A marine science pioneer, an emerging leader & a scientist with a passion for elevating Indigenous perspectives in marine conservation have taken centre stage as Australian Marine Sciences Association award recipients this year. Dive in to find out what inspires them - and us! tinyurl.com/5utrdvnj
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Now is not the time to put funding on ice. Australian Antarctic field programs should be ambitious as the rule not the exception, writes Professor Matt King in today's Mercury Newspaper, republished here: tinyurl.com/2zhpbryk @antarcticsciaus.bsky.social @utas.edu.au @deformedearth.bsky.social
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
Recent record summer lows in Antarctic sea ice are a window into a future warmer climate with more extreme events, but what impacts can we expect? New research clearly shows that faster action on climate change is vital to prevent even more drastic changes in the future: tinyurl.com/Low-summer-s...
theconversation.com
Antarctic summer sea ice is at record lows. Here’s how it will harm the planet – and us
New research explores the wide-ranging consequences of record low summer sea ice in Antarctica. From more ocean warming to extra icebergs, it’s bad news we must hear.
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Seas the opportunity 🚢 Applications for our 2026 CAPSTAN voyages are now open! This exciting at-sea experience for university students & trainers is all happening aboard CSIRO's research vessel #RVInvestigator, with two voyage opportunities in 2026. Apply now: www.csiro.au/capstan
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Australian Antarctic Program Partnership @antarctic.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
🌏 climate history: AAPP has a key role in the Million Year Ice Core project with the Australian Antarctic Division — develop a state-of-the-art lab @imas-utas.bsky.social in Hobart to analyse the chemistry of air bubbles in ice cores retrieved from #Antarctica. 🧊 www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06...
abc.net.au
Scientists analyse first samples from ancient Antarctic ice core
Australian scientists have started analysing the first batch of samples from the 'Million Year Ice Core' project.
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 25/06/2025
IMAS / AAPP sea-ice researcher @edoddridge.bsky.social has been awarded the prestigious Dr Peter Smith Medal by The Royal Society of Tasmania, in recognition of his outstanding research on sea-ice changes around Antarctica. ✨Read more: tinyurl.com/5n93seke 📸 Credit Bernard Pryor OAM. @utas.edu.au
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
What can the ancient rocks in the Denman region tell us? Go deeper with Prof Jo Whittaker (IMAS) and Dr Karin Orth (UTAS) to discover what lies beneath, and how ancient rocks hold vital clues about how fast the Denman Glacier is melting ❄️ @utas.edu.au
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Unprecedented biodiversity loss and climate collapse are threatening livelihoods across the globe. Ecologists have been critical to uncovering the drivers of biodiversity decline. A new study outlines six actions for ecologists in a time of global environmental crisis: tinyurl.com/5n874r97
Underwater camera captures sea life. Credit: IMASSix actions for ecologists in times of planetary crisis infographic. Diver among the seaweed. Credit: Scott LingIMAS and Centre for Marine Socioecology (CMS) Professor Gretta Pecl AM
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Ocean literacy is an understanding of the ocean’s influence on us and our influence on it. It empowers communities to make informed decisions about the ocean. The need for ocean literacy is increasing in Australia and abroad, with researchers calling for a national strategy: tinyurl.com/3cmnvs4v
Primary school students learning about the ocean. Credit: Stefan Andrews | Great Southern Reef Foundation and Deakin UniversityA fever of rays. Photo: Amanda Cotton | Ocean Image BankCover image: Credit Jordan Robbins | Ocean Image BankProfessor Gretta Pecl AM showing two students a sample at the Beaker Street SquidFest in Tasmania. Credit: IMAS
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
As part of National Geographic Society & Rolex #PerpetualPlanet Ocean Expeditions, our IMAS ecologist Dr Jane Younger investigated emerging diseases in Antarctic wildlife aboard the R/V Falkor (too) in collaboration with the Schmidt Ocean Institute:🐧 youtu.be/PWV9O8un9P4 More info: bit.ly/3FGjgjX
youtu.be
National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Ocean Expeditions
YouTube video by National Geographic Society
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
"There are no images from this part of the Antarctic coastline, this is complete voyage of discovery stuff for us," said IMAS/ACEAS Adjunct Prof Emeritus Craig Johnson. Watch the joy & science of mapping sea floor communities around the Denman Glacier for the very first time youtu.be/gzh5zf73yy4
youtu.be
Voyage of Discovery: mapping the Antarctic sea floor
YouTube video by ACEAS
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
A little-known ocean current surrounds Antarctica & shields it from warm water further north. Once a steadfast guardian of the icy continent, the Antarctic Slope Current is being transformed by the ice it protects. And it's putting the continent’s last line of defence at risk tinyurl.com/y36mwfje
theconversation.com
Antarctica has its own ‘shield’ against warm water – but this could now be under threat
The Antarctic Slope Current shields Antarctica from warm waters. But new research shows meltwater is speeding up the current, which could make it more unstable.
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 28/05/2025
Our scientists have explored the history, methods & scale of a largely forgotten industry – commercial giant kelp wild harvesting. Harvested in Tasmania from 1964-1973, it would close within a decade. Knowing why provides insights to help future-proof seaweed industries today🌿 tinyurl.com/yx5svfek
Giant kelp in Tasmania. Credit: Hunter ForbesAerial view of the Alginates Australia kelp processing factory near Orford, Tasmania (Tasmanian Archives: AB713/1/12112).Vessel Alga harvesting giant kelp near Orford on the east coast of Tasmania (Tasmanian Archives PH30/1/8612).
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
From East Antarctica to the world: @antarcticsciaus.bsky.social-funded outreach program goes global! Celebrating the power of connection through science on the Denman Marine Voyage 🌏 tinyurl.com/4bw335z3 📸 Antarctic & ice by Pete Harmsen for AAD, outreach by Katharina Hochmuth ACEAS
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 22/05/2025
IMAS Executive Director, Prof Nicole Webster, has been elected as a Fellow of the #AustralianAcademyofScience in recognition of her dedication to driving innovative research for ocean and climate solutions - and her ocean passion inspires us all! Congratulations Prof Webster! tinyurl.com/mwtha8j3
Professor Nicole Webster FAA. Credit: AAD
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Huge congrats to our oceanographer Prof Philip Boyd who's been recognised for his ocean science leadership. He is among over 90 outstanding researchers from across the world who've been elected to the prestigious Fellowship of The Royal Society, UK’s nat'l academy of sciences: tinyurl.com/35dushm4
Professor Philip Boyd said he is "honoured to be elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society, and especially proud of this recognition for our important work to better understand the interactions between ocean biogeochemistry, Earth's carbon cycle, and climate".Prof Boyd led the SOLACE voyage in 2020/2021, which set out to capture a detailed picture of how plant life in the Southern Ocean helps remove carbon dioxide from the Earth’s atmosphere. Image: Robert Strzepek AAPP
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
A new study has revealed how a large mountain chain buried deep below the East Antarctic ice sheet, grew & partly collapsed more than half a billion years ago. It helps explain why Antarctica’s interior has remained remarkably stable for hundreds of millions of years: tinyurl.com/yka84vfp
A radar image showing the Gamburtsev mountain range under layers of ice. Creyts et al (2014)Mountain building causes deep crustal rocks to deform, fold and partially melt. Credit: Jacqueline Halpin IMAS
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
How many science projects can you fit on one ship? Here's an amazing glimpse of the action on the Denman Marine Voyage to East #Antarctica on the RSV Nuyina. And that's a wrap 🚢 youtu.be/tbnl7M4kZTk With AAD @antarctic.bsky.social @antarcticsciaus.bsky.social @arcsaef.bsky.social @utas.edu.au
youtu.be
Achievements of the Denman Marine Voyage 2025
YouTube video by Australian Antarctic Program Partnership
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
Australia’s population of Southern right whales has grown substantially since the late 1970s when they began to recover from whaling. But a new study reveals troubling signs that could mark a turning point in the population’s recovery: tinyurl.com/4rd9uu2z
Southern right whale cow-calf pairs off Western Australia. Credit: Joshua Smith
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Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies @imas-utas.bsky.social · 08/05/2025
There’s a hidden threat beneath Antarctica’s ice sheet and it could add more than two metres to global sea levels by 2300. New research shows a vast network of lakes and streams under the thick ice sheet plays a far bigger role in Antarctic ice loss than previously thought 🌊 tinyurl.com/ky4de37v
Denman Glacier. Credit: Pete Harmsen | AAD
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