The Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS) operates the NSW node of the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) and has received extensions for its core facilities from 2024 through 2027. These ongoing programs include:

  • NSW Moorings (UNSW – Moninya Roughan)
  • Animal Tagging (SIMS – Rob Harcourt & Clive McMahon)
  • Animal Tracking (SIMS – Rob Harcourt & Emma Bowen)
  • Understanding Marine Imagery (University of Sydney – Stefan Williams)

Expanded Programs

In addition to the continuation of these facilities, SIMS has been awarded funding for significant expansions in marine animal tracking and tagging, enhancing Australia’s ocean monitoring capabilities.

Animal Tagging Expansion

This program now includes Olive Ridley and Flatback turtle tagging in Northern Australia, with deployments from Melville or North-West Crocodile Island. The project will deploy at least 25 CTD-SRDLs annually, providing crucial oceanographic and behavioural data. IMOS has committed an additional $1.956 million over three years for this expansion.

Animal Tracking – Coastal and Estuarine Expansion

This expansion will strengthen Australia’s national acoustic telemetry array, adding 167 new receivers to critical coastal areas currently unmonitored, including the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Kimberley region. The enhanced network will improve tracking for 168 aquatic species, providing more comprehensive movement data and ecological insights. IMOS is investing $3.393 million in this expansion, extending the program through June 2027.

New Facility: Fishing Ships of Opportunity (FishSOOP)

Beyond these expansions, SIMS has been awarded a new IMOS facility – Fishing Ships of Opportunity (FishSOOP). This initiative builds on a pilot program funded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) and installs oceanographic sensors on commercial fishing vessels. By leveraging the fishing fleet, FishSOOP will gather critical ocean data from under-sampled marine regions, improving our understanding of ocean dynamics, climate change impacts, and fisheries management.