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IMAS is a centre of excellence for marine and Antarctic research that cuts across traditional scientific and social scientific boundaries.

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• Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Ecology and Biodiversity
• Oceans and Cryosphere
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Choose a login, institute for marine and antarctic studies, world class research.

An institute for excellence in marine and Antarctic research

Solution driven

Addressing the complex issues of our time

Education and training

Creating exceptional learning opportunities for the next generation of scientists

The Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) at the University of Tasmania is internationally recognised for excellence in marine and Antarctic research.

Located on the Hobart waterfront, our IMAS headquarters houses world-class laboratories and teaching spaces, and cultivate new research and educational opportunities. We share this landmark building with important research partnerships, including Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) , the Australian Antarctic Program Partnership (AAPP) , the Australian Centre for Antarctic Science (ACEAS) and more.

Just 15 minutes away on the scenic route south, IMAS Taroona is emerging as a unique fisheries and aquaculture precinct – a centre for world-class research, enhanced collaboration and industry engagement, and outstanding marine science education. At the heart of the Taroona facility is the Joint Venture Agreement between the State Government and the University - Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration Agreement (SMRCA) .

At IMAS, we create exceptional learning opportunities for the next generation of scientists, industry and Government leaders, and we are dedicated to enhancing environmental understanding and informing thoughtful and sustainable development for the benefit of Australia and the world.

We’re teaching the next generation of internationally competitive and renowned scientists, policy makers, law makers, and globally aware citizens.

Our research

Located at the gateway to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, our research spans oceans and cryosphere, ecology and biodiversity, and fisheries and aquaculture.

Our partners

We’re working to address the major questions of temperate marine and Antarctic science, with research focused on living marine resources management, systems ecology, oceanographic connectivity and process dynamics, and climate studies. With collaborative partners across the globe, we deliver our research to government, industry, institutions and communities.

With your help, our researchers can continue to tackle some of the vital issues our world faces – from climate change to ecological biodiversity, food security and more.

Latest news

Fake it to make it: creating artificial reefs for fish habitats.

Two purpose-built artificial reefs installed on Tasmanian’s coastline could offer additional habitats for many marine species, support recreational fishing, and create a more sustainable coastal ecosystem. Dr Sarah Ugalde with a baited remote…

Antarctic ocean scientist wins Tasmanian Tall Poppy Award

An ocean scientist at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies in the University of Tasmania has been named the state’s 2024 Young Tall Poppy of the Year.Physical oceanographer Dr Edward Doddridge, a research associate with the Australian…

IMAS scientists cast line to capture recreational fishing trends

With over a quarter of Tasmania’s population fishing, scientists have cast a line to capture a snapshot of recreational fishing practices across the state.Researchers from the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies…

BioSphere | DataSphere: an exhibition by internationally re…

Sean Tracey Profile page

Centre Head, Fisheries & Aquaculture/Director, SMRCA/Professor

Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration

• Centre Head, Fisheries & Aquaculture/Director, SMRCA/Professor Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration
• +61 3 6226 8286 (Work)
• [email protected]
• Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, Sustainable Marine Research Collaboration, IMAS Taroona, Off-Campus
• ResearchGate

Sean Tracey is a Professor of Fisheries and Ecosystem Sciences and Head of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Centre within IMAS. He has a distinguished career working across a diverse portfolio in fisheries and marine ecosystems science. He conducts innovative research across multiple disciplines to address critical questions of both ecological consequence and facilitate sustainable management of marine resources. His work spans the study of marine species and how they interact with each other and their environment, assessing commercial and recreational fisheries and the importance of seafood to global food security. With over twenty years research experience at a state, national and international level, Professor Tracey has been able to facilitate a big picture perspective to local issues and, conversely, the importance of local issues to global challenges. Biography Sean began his career working for the commercial fishing and seafood processing industries; these experiences consolidated his passion for working in the aquatic environment. In 2000, he received a Bachelor of Applied Science (Fisheries) from the Australian Maritime College and shortly after began working as a technical officer at the Tasmanian Inland Fisheries Service. In 2001 he transitioned to the marine realm, taking a position as a technical officer at the Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute (TAFI). In 2004, while continuing to work fulltime as a technical officer across a broad range of projects relating to scalefish and cephalopod species, he began his PhD studies. In 2007 he was awarded his PhD and was armed with seven years of on the ground practical experience in fisheries research and a drive to transition this experience into the areas of academia and applied research for sustainable management of marine resources. At the time of completing his PhD he successfully applied for a Research Fellow position at TAFI to work on recreational fisheries research. In 2009, Sean was seconded by the National Geographic Society to work on the 'Sea Around Us' project, an internationally prestigious project funded by the PEW charitable trust and run through the University of British Columbia. Assisting the 'Sea Around Us' project offered new career experiences through working to harmonise global fisheries catch datasets contributing a spatially referenced global estimate of catch which has been utilised in multiple high-profile papers. With continued success at TAFI/IMAS and with an impressive record of publication and success in attracting high profile research funding, Sean was selected in 2014 to join the inaugural University of Tasmania 'Group of Eight' Future Research Leaders Program. Sean has over 200 publications since his PhD completion in 2007, including peer-reviewed publications in Nature and Nature Communications, and with most others in journals well above the median impact factor for the discipline of Fisheries Research. He has sourced >$27M in research funding across his career and supervises a number of post-graduate students with diverse research topics. He actively collaborates nationally and globally on a range of fish and fisheries related projects. Sean has managed large research projects. These projects have included requirements for wide stakeholder consultation and challenging fieldwork at sea in remote locations. He has considerable experience working in trans-disciplinary settings. Career summary Qualifications Ph.D. University of Tasmania Australia 12/10/2007 Bachelor of Applied Science (Fisheries), University of Tasmania, Australia, 21/09/2000 Memberships Committee associations Ministerially appointed member – Queensland Government Sustainable Fisheries Expert Panel (2023 – current) Nominated and Elected Board Member – Keep Fish Wet – Not For Profit based in United States (2021 – current) Nominated and Elected Representative of the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) (2021 - current) Nominated and Elected committee member of the IGFA Oceania Region Conservation committee (2021 - current) Ministerially appointed Scientific Advisor – Tasmanian Research Advisory Groups (2011 – current) Member Game Fishing Association of Australia research committee (2018 – current) Elected Executive member - Australian Society of Fish Biology (2008 – 2021) Derwent Estuary Conservation Action Plan Working Group (2010 – 2011) Steering committee of the Oceanwatch: SeaNet program (2010 – 2012) Administrative expertise Leadership Sean leads the Fisheries & Aquaculture Centre at IMAS with over 200 personnel, including 100+ fixed or ongoing contract staff and 50+ Research Higher Degree students. The Centre team delivers several leading undergraduate, Masters by coursework and postgraduate research programs. In addition, the Centre team delivers world class research and is deeply networked within the community and their respective disciplines. The Centre has maintained an ERA ranking of 5 since 2018. Sean has significant administrative experience at the University of Tasmania, including sitting on numerous committees, as chair and as a member, for staff selection, resolution of student and staff discipline and grievance and prize and grant awards. He is the IMAS lead on the planning, development, and design of the new ~$65M Taroona revitalisation project as part of the Utas Southern Transformation program. He is also in a lead role to facilitate the redeployment of staff and the Fisheries & Aquaculture undergraduate and Master by coursework units from Newnham to Taroona as part of the broader Utas transformation plan. Sean has managed many large research projects with teams in excess of 60 personnel. These projects have included requirements for wide stakeholder consultation, complex problem solving, engagement of multiple sub-contractors and consultants, hard deadlines for Government policy and legislation change and challenging fieldwork at sea in remote locations. He has considerable experience leading trans-disciplinary teams. Select responsibilities at the University of Tasmania 2022 – Head of Discipline, Fisheries & Aquaculture (F&A) Centre - IMAS 2020 – Program Lead, Wild Fisheries, F&A – IMAS 2017 – Athena SWAN Self Assessment Team, UTAS 2016 – 2020 Deputy Chair and Founding member of the IMAS Inclusion, Diversity, Acceptance (IDEA) Committee – IMAS Select responsibilities external to the University 2022 – Member of the International Science Committee for the 10th World Recreational Fisheries Conference 2016 – Appointed by the Premier as an inaugural Business Events Tasmania Ambassador 2016 – Lead convenor of the Australian Society of Fish Biology annual conference

SCHOOL AND PORTFOLIO

• Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies

FIELD OF RESEARCH

• Fisheries sciences not elsewhere classified Fisheries sciences not elsewhere classified
• Aquaculture and fisheries stock assessment Aquaculture and fisheries stock assessment
• Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology)

• Our Staff and Students
• QMS Unit Information
• QMS PhD Candidate Travel Support
• Write-up Scholarships
• 2024 Unit Dates

How to Apply for the QMS PhD Program

Important information about qms phd projects.

PhD projects undertaken in the QMS program must be approved by the QMS Steering Committee. Applicants may select a project from the range of existing approved projects . It is recommended that applicants contact project supervisors prior to submitting your application. Your project choice should be submitted along with your scholarship application.

The list of approved projects is not exhaustive and applicants are encouraged to contact relevant academic staff to develop alternative PhD project proposals. The PhD Project proposal will be assessed by the QMS Steering Committee and recommended to the Board of Graduate Research. Projects should fit within one or more of the research areas of the QMS program.

Domestic applicants

Students majoring in physical sciences, life sciences, physics, mathematics, statistics, geomatics or engineering, and who meet the University of Tasmania PhD entry requirements, are eligible. Students will have either a strong mathematics background or develop adequate skills through coursework.

Students should apply using the online application process .

Students should read the admission requirements prior to submitting their application.

International students

International students are eligible to apply for a QMS PhD Scholarship and should apply using the application form .

It is also recommended that international applicants apply for an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship to assist with tuition fees.

Existing University of Tasmania PhD candidates

PhD Candidates at the University may apply to transfer to the QMS PhD program. Typically candidates will already have an APA or equivalent scholarship. The following conditions apply:

• The candidate must be less than 12 months into their candidature;
• The candidate's project must be approved by the QMS Steering Committee as appropriate for the QMS PhD program;
• The candidate must have gained a commitment from an appropriate CMAR scientist to co-supervise the project;
• The candidate must be able to demonstrate either a strong mathematics background or the capacity to develop adequate skills through coursework; and
• The candidate must agree to undertake and complete the compulsory QMS coursework program.

PhD candidates should arrange to meet with the Director of the QMS PhD Program, Associate Professor Peter Strutton, and their current supervision team to discuss their intentions before submitting an application form.

For more information, see the Graduate Research Office website

For more information about entry to the QMS program, please contact the QMS Program Coordinator:

Dr Christine Fury

Ph.  6226 6668

[email protected]

Phone: +613 6226 6379

ABN: 30 764 374 782 CRICOS Provider Code: 00586B

Staff & Students

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