The University of Tasmania Council established the tafi to bring together the various strands of marine and Antarctic research currently being conducted in and around Hobart, in order to foster the development of stronger research ties and exploit new research opportunities. The Institute is run by an independent Board under the leadership of an independent Chair, and it is separate from the University’s Faculty Structure.

IMAS brings together 200 employees and 140 graduate students from the following institutions:

The Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving Tasmania’s aquaculture and (TAFI)
The Institute for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies (IASOS), as well as some marine and Antarctic scientists from UTAS’ academic schools, collaborate closely with IMAS staff and co-supervise RHD students from:

The Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), the Tasmanian Partnership in Advanced Computing (TPAC), and the National Centre for Marine Conservation and Resource Sustainability at the AMC are all part of the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Co-operative Research Centre (ACE CRC) (NCMCRS)
Plans for IMAS to occupy wharf shed number 2 on Princes Wharf on Hobart’s waterfront, adjacent to CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (CMAR) laboratories, are currently in the works and are expected to be completed by 2013.