Theodore Thomson FlynnTasmania's first Professor of Biology

Marine & Fisheries

 S. Y.  Aurora  by Frank Hurley http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-158923571

As the Professor of Biology and Zoology  Flynn was involved in marine exploration.

In November 1912, Flynn accompanied Sir Douglas Mawson on the S. Y. Aurora as the biologist for the second summer research cruise. To commerorate Flynn's Antarctic connection a lake was named after him on Macquarie Island. 

Professor Flynn published a series of papers on the fauna of Tasmania, including sea spiders (Pycnogonida), jellyfish,  invertebrates and freshwater  sponges. 

Most notably Professor Flynn decribed a preserved squalodont whale (Prosqualodon davidis) in 1923, found at Fossil Bluff, Wynyard.  

Flynn became a strong advocate for science-based development of fisheries in Tasmania and at the national level. He undertook a review of the Tasmanian fishing industry, and proposed some priority scientific projects, including comprehensive studies of the biology of the oyster and the crayfish, to underpin effective fisheries management.    The University's, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Science research continues the focus on understanding our fisheries, acquiculture, marine and Antarctic environmnents. 

Flynns Tarn near Cradle Mountain Tasmania is named after T. T. Flynn.  

 Sea spider

Whale bone

Flynns Tarn

Flynn's marine research papers 

• Davis, J.K. and Flynn, Theodore Thomson 1913 , The Soundings of the Antarctic Ship "Aurora" between Tasmania and the Antarctic Continent (1912) , University of Tasmania Library Special and Rare Materials Collection, Australia.
• Flynn, Theodore Thomson 1919 , A Re-examination of Professor Haswell's types of Australian Pycnogonida , University of Tasmania Library Special and Rare Materials Collection, Australia.
• Flynn, Theodore Thomson 1918 , Two New Australian Pycnogonida , University of Tasmania Library Special and Rare Materials Collection, Australia.
• Flynn, Theodore Thomson 1920 , Squalodont Remains from the Tertiary Strata of Tasmania , University of Tasmania Library Special and Rare Materials Collection, Australia.
• Flynn, Theodore Thomson 1922 , On a Fresh-water Sponge from Tasmania , University of Tasmania Library Special and Rare Materials Collection, Australia.