The Project
Geolocation Journeys is a unique science-arts initiative that repurposes ‘retired’ geolocators used to track the migrations of Southern Ocean marine predators such as albatrosses, seals, and penguins and crafts them into unique wearable artworks. These novel pieces each come with their own individual history and both inspire dialogue surrounding Antarctic conservation and provide an opportunity to fund further scientific discoveries.
By donating to this project you will be supporting marine predator scientists at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. For each donation over AUD$150 you can receive a handcrafted jewellery piece made from an expired geolocator. Your support will go towards the purchase of a new working geolocator to be deployed on a Southern Ocean species.
Geolocation Journeys is a positive initiative that brings together artists and scientists to create unique artworks and raise funds to support important research. The contribution of tracking devices and data by collaborating scientists is welcomed. All tracking devices and data are only used in artworks to support further research.
For many years researchers at the University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) have been tracking Antarctic and Southern Ocean top predators, from delicate Short-tailed Shearwaters to imposing Southern Elephant Seals, using light-level geolocators.
Once the geolocators are retrieved, the tracking data they contain is analysed by scientists to identify areas of high ecological importance in the Southern Ocean and are a priority for protection.
Scientists then contribute their results to international organisations that support the conservation of Antarctic marine species such as the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatross and Petrels, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research and Birdlife International.
RESEARCH
SUPPORT US
Antarctic Fur Seal
(Arctocephalus gazella)
Brooch
Southern Elephant Seal
(Mirounga leonina)
Brooch
Short-tailed Shearwater (Ardenna tenuirostris)
Brooch
Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophris)
Brooch
Geolocation Journeys uses ‘retired' geolocators used to track Southern Ocean marine predators, such as albatrosses, seals, and penguins and crafts them into unique, handcrafted pieces of wearable art. A minimum donation of $150 will ensure you receive a Geolocation Journeys creation. All donations support Antarctic and Southern Ocean research at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania.