TAFI was established as a joint venture between the Tasmanian Government and the University of Tasmania in 1998, combining the complementary resources and facilities of both institutions into a single entity.  On 1 January 2010 it was located in the University’s newly established Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS). *

The combination of aquatic and marine research from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) and the University of Tasmania provides a number of significant benefits:

  •  coordination of research effort with shared goals and priorities,
  •  improved focus and quality in Research and Development activities,
  •  an enhanced role for industry in directing and committing research resources, and
  •  increased access to Commonwealth funds for Research and Development.

Since its inception TAFI has developed a strong focus on the needs and expectations of our stakeholders - industry, government and the community.  A key aspect of our approach is to foster strong collaborative linkages and partnerships with similar agencies around the globe, building on the natural advantage of our location, which has one of the highest concentrations of marine scientists anywhere in the world.  This enables us to meet challenges with confidence and to respond to them with a high degree of professionalism, quality, initiative and innovation.  Our strategic approach to R&D attempts to balance the economic, social and environmental factors that shape our future, allowing us to engage with our partners for the long term prosperity of the Tasmanian and broader Australian community.

TAFI activities are conducted at two major sites in Tasmania:

  •  the TAFI Marine Research Laboratories at Taroona,
  •  the Fish Health Unit at the DPIPWE Mount Pleasant Animal Laboratories, Launceston.
   
Research is funded by the Tasmanian Government, the University, and a number of external research providers such as the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), Australian Research Council (ARC), the National Heritage Trust (NHT), Commonwealth Environment Research Fund (CERF) and several foundations.

TAFI has strong collaborative partnerships with national partners such as the CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research and a number of State Fisheries agencies such as PIRVic and SARDI.  We also have international partnerships with IFREMER in France and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science in the USA.

*It is expected that the TAFI JVA will be soon replaced with a Research Partnership Agreement (RPA) between the State Government and the University.  The RPA will see TAFI being formally amalgamated into IMAS, with its research programs becoming part of IMAS’ Fisheries Aquaculture and Coasts Centre.