CSIRO Marine Laboratories

The CSIRO Marine Laboratories are a building complex on Castray Esplanade in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, constructed in 1982–1984 to house the CSIRO Divisions of Fisheries Research and Oceanography (formerly a single Division, named Fisheries and Oceanography) which was transferred from its previous location at Hungry Point, Cronulla, New South Wales; the building was officially opened by the (Australian) Federal Minister for Science, the Hon Barry Jones in May 1985. It occupies a site at the end of Princes Wharf originally created as a terminal for the vehicle and passenger ferry Empress of Australia which ceased its Hobart operation in 1972; the former Wharf "Shed No 3" was incorporated into the new complex as the Support Facilities building. Additional details of the somewhat convoluted organisational history of the relevant Divisions and their predecessors are available here. A summary of the scope and activities carried out at the Marine Laboratories at that time was published by the scientific assistants to the Chiefs of both Divisions, N.G. Elliot and A.C. Woods, in 1989. The CSIRO Marine Laboratories houses the administrative offices and provides the home port for the Australian Marine National Facility, currently the RV Investigator (2014–present), which was preceded by the RV Southern Surveyor (acquired by CSIRO 1988, transferred to National Facility role 2003) and RV Franklin (1984–2003). == Background ==

CSIRO, Australia's national science research agency, established a Division of Fisheries (previously the "Fisheries Investigation Section") in May 1940. bearing in mind the considerations mentioned above, a wharf-side site at Castray Esplanade close to the centre of Hobart had been selected as the most suitable, being vacant land (apart from a pre-existing Marine Board wharf shed, some disused terminal buildings plus a heavy duty crane) previously leased to the Australian National Line (ANL) as a terminal for the former Empress of Australia Sydney-to-Hobart passenger and vehicle ferry service, part owned by the Marine Board of Hobart with the balance being (Tasmanian) State Crown Land, also incorporating Princes Wharf portions 3 and 4. In addition to the provision of wharf facilities sufficient to accommodate "vessels with a draught of up to 6 metres", the Committee preparing the report noted that the site was level and large enough to permit the construction of the facilities envisaged, had ready access to service industries and an airport, close proximity to tertiary institutions, and was "a location that would be attractive to scientific research staff". == Construction and use==

The tender for construction of the new facility was awarded to the Tasmanian construction firm of Hansen and Yuncken (Tas) Pty Ltd. of Hobart. The conversion of the former Wharf Shed 3 to the Marine Laboratories support services building was completed in August 1983, the doors of the remainder of the complex were opened for occupation in September 1984, and the official opening ceremony was held on 1 May 1985, conducted by the Federal Minister for Science, the Hon Barry Jones, in the presence of the two chiefs of the Divisions and other dignitaries. ==Gallery==

CSIRO ScienceImage 2593 CSIRO Marine Research Laboratories.jpg|CSIRO Marine Research Laboratories, aerial view with RV Franklin alongside CSIRO ScienceImage 3610 CSIRO Marine Research Laboratories.jpg|CSIRO Marine Laboratories, waterside view CSIRO wharf Jun 1986.jpg|CSIRO wharf, Hobart with research vessels, June 1986 CSIRO ScienceImage 7970 RV Southern Surveyor.jpg|RV Southern Surveyor at the CSIRO wharf CSIRO wharf Jan 1988.jpg|CSIRO wharf, Hobart with research vessels, January 1988 Marine Labs Block 1 Feb 2005.jpg|CSIRO Marine Laboratories, Hobart Block 1, February 2005 Marine Labs Dec 86.jpg|Concert opposite CSIRO Marine Laboratories, December 1986 QE2-Tasmania-Derwent R-1990s.jpg|"Queen Elizabeth 2" (ship) in the Derwent River, Tasmania, early 1990s RV Franklin at CSIRO Marine Labs 1987.jpg|RV Franklin at CSIRO Marine Laboratories, Hobart, 1987 RV Southern Surveyor at Hobart Nov 2010.JPG|RV Southern Surveyor at the CSIRO wharf, November 2010 RVFranklin1986-1.jpg|Australian Research Vessel RV Franklin at the CSIRO wharf, late 1986 Investigator at dock.jpg|RV Investigator at the CSIRO wharf, 2015 == See also ==