IFREMER

IFREMER, the Institut Français de Recherche pour lExploitation de la Mer, is a French public research institution dedicated to the study and sustainable exploitation of the sea. It operates under the supervision of the French government and coordinates national efforts in marine science, technology, and applied research.

Created in 1984, IFREMER brings together researchers from biology, physics, chemistry, geology, and engineering to generate knowledge and develop technologies that support fisheries management, aquaculture, coastal protection, and marine resources assessment. It provides scientific advice to public authorities and industry and disseminates data, methods, and innovations.

The institute covers a broad range of research areas, including oceanography and climate studies, fisheries biology and stock assessment, aquaculture, marine biodiversity and ecosystems, marine geology and geophysics, coastal engineering, and environmental monitoring and pollution response. It designs and operates ocean observing systems, experiments, and simulation tools, and it develops instrumentation and remote sensing capabilities.

IFREMER maintains laboratories and a fleet of research vessels and specialized offshore equipment, and it runs data centers that host marine data and models. It collaborates with national laboratories, universities, and European and international partners on joint projects and programs to advance marine science and its practical applications.

The agency’s work supports maritime policy, fisheries governance, offshore energy planning, and environmental protection. As one of France’s leading marine research organizations, IFREMER contributes to knowledge transfer, technological innovation, and informed decision-making for sustainable use of the oceans.