The Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute (TAFI) is a marine research centre that supports the development and sustainable management of living marine resources.
TAFI is a joint venture between the Tasmanian Government and the University of Tasmania. Established in 1998, it combined the complementary resources and facilities of both institutions into a single entity. This derived a number of significant and immediate 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 is a stand-alone Institute within the University of Tasmania’s Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology combining areas of aquatic and marine research from the Department of Primary Industries and Water (DPIW) and the University of Tasmania. These are:
• the DPIW Marine Research Laboratories at Taroona,
• the Fish Health Unit at the DPIW Mount Pleasant Animal Laboratories, Launceston,
• the School of Zoology, on the University’s Hobart campus, and
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.
TAFI was established in 1998 as a joint venture between the Tasmanian Government and the University of Tasmania. The expertise and facilities of the Department of Primary Industries and Water (DPIW) and the University of Tasmania are largely complementary.
Vision
International excellence in aquatic research and development.
Mission
To be an internationally significant provider of marine science emphasising:
• the sustainable development, utilisation and management of aquatic resources
• excellence in research and training, and
• positioning Tasmania as a leader in the field of marine R&D
Allowing us to provide positive outcomes for Tasmania (environmental, economic and social) while maintaining a client and stakeholder focus.
Goals
• To meet the needs of clients and key stakeholders
• To double the resource base of TAFI by 2010
• To be internationally recognised for excellence in R&D