{{unreferenced, date=November 2012 The Tasmanian Polar Network (TPN) is an industry body based in Hobart, an Antarctic gateway city in the state of

Tasmania ) , nickname = , image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdi ...

, Australia. It comprises scientific institutions, businesses and organisations which have a focus on supporting commercial and scientific effort in

Antarctica Antarctica () is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean, it contains the geographic South Pole. Antarctica is the fifth-largest co ...

, the

subantarctic The sub-Antarctic zone is a region in the Southern Hemisphere, located immediately north of the Antarctic region. This translates roughly to a latitude of between 46° and 60° south of the Equator. The subantarctic region includes many islands ...

and the

Southern Ocean The Southern Ocean, also known as the Antarctic Ocean, comprises the southernmost waters of the World Ocean, generally taken to be south of 60° S latitude and encircling Antarctica. With a size of , it is regarded as the second-smal ...

. Through the network, members provide goods services for Antarctic, subantarctic and Southern Ocean expeditions and encourage collaboration between science research institutions. The body also acts as a lobby group for the Antarctic sector in the state.

History

The TPN was formed in July 1993 by the Tasmanian Government to encourage collaboration between industry, research institutions and government in the Tasmanian Antarctic sector. It was incorporated in 1999, with its operation becoming the responsibility of elected committee members.

Membership and structure

The Tasmanian Polar Network has more than 50 members. A governing committee of a chairman, senior deputy chairman, deputy chairman, treasurer, secretary, public officer and three executive committee members, is elected annually by members. Antarctic Tasmania in Hobart is the permanent Secretariat of the TPN.

Funding

The network is an independent body that charges annual membership fees and receives an annual grant from the Tasmanian Government.

External links

TPN Website
Antarctic agencies Hobart Organisations based in Tasmania Science and technology in Tasmania