History

Otago was the first university in New Zealand to acquire a marine station when it took over the old Portobello fish hatchery from the Marine Department in 1951.   There had been a Marine Laboratory at Portobello since l904, though it had fallen into run-down state through the 1930s depression and the war years.   Professor Eccles, then head of physiology, later Sir John Eccles and a Nobel Prize winner, saw the potential of the station for experimental work, especially neurophysiology, using marine organisms.

Under Dr Betty Batham, director from 1951 to 1974, mainly fundamental biological and ecological research was carried out at the Marine Biological Station.   Many visitors from New Zealand and overseas were attracted to work at the Station. marine stati

The 1960s saw replacement of the original Laboratory building, acquisition of a sea-going research vessel, RV Munida, and increased teaching activity.   There developed a heightened awareness within the University of the potential of the Marine Biological Station as a multi-disciplinary research facility.   In 1974, the name Portobello Marine Laboratory was adopted.   Under Associate Professor John Jillett, director from 1974 - 1994, a number of major redevelopments took place.   The first phase was undertaken in 1977 and a second major expansion was completed in 1987, with the opening of a new four-storey building of 1000 m 2 floor area.   The new facilities enabled research and teaching to be carried out over the broad spectrum of marine science.

In 1992 the Laboratory became a part of the newly established Department of Marine Science with Professor Philip Mladenov as Head of Department.   The main function of the Laboratory is to meet the research needs of staff and students of the Department.   Other university departments, international researchers, government agencies and commercial industry are welcome to use the facility.   In 1998 a building to house the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre was completed on the Laboratory site.   It incorporates the Public Education Programme and a public Aquarium.

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