CSIRO's Marine Laboratories in Hobart.

CSIRO's Marine Laboratories in Hobart.

History of CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research

CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research Division, based in Hobart, Tasmania, continues nearly 100 years of Australian research into our oceans, fisheries, atmosphere and climate.

  • 4 September 2007 | Updated 14 October 2011

Birth of fisheries research

Australia's marine and fisheries research has had an association with Tasmania spanning more than 90 years.

Australia’s first fisheries research vessel was named Endeavour.

In 1914, whilst returning from the remote meteorological station at Macquarie Island in the Southern Ocean, it disappeared with all of its crew on board. 

Australia's marine and fisheries research has had an association with Tasmania spanning more than 90 years.

During its time at Macquarie Island it conducted several trawls, which yielded many species not seen previously.

In the lead-up to CSIRO’s establishment in 1926 the British science administrator, Sir Frank Heath, listed five research priorities.

One of these was fisheries with a recommendation that it be based in Tasmania.

This drew both an impatient and unimpressed response from British trawling expert Mr David Stead.

'We have waited so long for the establishment of a fisheries station in Australia, that we cannot afford to play with the question by establishing some institute in our ‘ocean backblocks’, so far removed from the ordinary scientific and commercial life of the community as to be of little practical use,' wrote Mr Stead.

Coastal surveys of Tasmanian waters by CSIRO (then called CSIR) staff began in 1941.

This included studies of coastal and estuary fish and shellfish stocks.

Local charter and police patrol vessels collected monthly samples near Maria Island.

This initiative has provided oceanographers with one of the most valuable ocean temperature records showing variation in east coast conditions.

First Tasmanian home

CSIRO’s first official home in Tasmania for fisheries research was in the old Stowell private hospital, in the Hobart suburb of Battery Point.

After it was closed as a hospital in 1945, it was purchased by CSIRO.

Relocating to Hobart

CSIRO’s national fisheries and oceanographic science were based at Cronulla, New South Wales.

However, due to an expanding research fleet and need for a deep water port facility, CSIRO announced that it would reloacte to Hobart.

CSIRO's marine research effort would also be re-organised into two separate Divisions of Oceanography and Fisheries.

The foundation stone for the new CSIRO Hobart laboratories was laid on 26 July 1982 by the then Federal Minister for Capital Territory, the Hon Michael Hodgman, at a function toasting the new buildings and 'all who were to sail in them'.

In 1997, the separate Divisions of Fisheries and Oceanography were merged to become CSIRO Marine Research. 

CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research

In 2005, the Division of Marine Research merged with the Division of Atmospheric Research to form CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (CMAR).

This Division brings together CSIRO oceans, atmosphere and climate research groups.

From its headquarters in Hobart, CMAR operates four other research centres around Australia:

  • Aspendale, Melbourne
  • Black Mountain, Canberra
  • Cleveland, Brisbane
  • Floreat, Perth.

Hobart is also the home port for the CSIRO-managed National Facility Marine Research Vessel, RV Southern Surveyor.

Discover more about the work of CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research.