Tasmanian businesses invited to grow Antarctic and Southern Ocean Sector

A new initiative is inviting businesses to explore potential opportunities as part of Tasmania’s leading role in the international Antarctic and Southern Ocean gateway sector.

Minister for Small Business, Trade and Consumer Affairs Guy Barnett said the Tasmanian Government is delivering a new industry prospectus to promote the sector to Tasmanian businesses and encourage innovative ideas to grow this important industry.

“As Australia’s Antarctic gateway, Tasmania’s Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector already supports almost 1200 jobs and contributes more than $204 million annually to the state’s economy,” Minister Barnett said.

“It also generates more than $3 million a year from conference delegates and over $6 million from expeditioners, who spend around 16,000 nights in Tasmania each year.

“While Tasmania’s Polar Network represents nearly 70 organisations including business, government and academia, we want to actively encourage businesses to explore opportunities to increase Tasmanian participation and capacity.

“This Prospectus is designed to support our existing polar businesses and expand the base of goods and services the sector offers by adding new businesses and organisations into the mix.

“The bigger and more diverse our Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector, the stronger its international reputation will become.

“If there are Tasmanian businesses with expertise and innovative ideas that could contribute to our Antarctic gateway, we want to hear from them - either through the Government’s Antarctic Tasmania program or directly through the Tasmanian Polar Network.”

The Government’s commitment to expanding the sector is supported by the Antarctic Gateway Campaign and an investment of $1.4 million over four years, until 2028.

The new Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector prospectus is available here.