About IIM

The Institute of Marine Research (IIM-CSIC) is one of the main marine research centers in the Iberian Peninsula. Looking at the Atlantic from Vigo, a city with a strong connection with the sea, the IIM-CSIC faces the challenge of increasing our knowledge about the ocean, from its physical characteristics to the food we take from it and the processes that bind the whole system together.

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Research

Research is at the core of the Institute of Marine Research's work. Working along 3 Core Research Themes, which intertwine and connect to each other, the researchers and technicians at the IIM-CSIC look for answers within 9 different research lines.

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Innovation

While our research provides us with new knowledge about our sea and shores, at the Institute of Marine Research we are committed to go a step further, creating new collaborations with the industry and other economic activities, be they already 'established' industries, such as fisheries or aquaculture, or 'emerging' ones, such as ocean observation.

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Society

Science is not complete until it is shared with society. As a public research institution, the IIM understands that its commitment is with society, fostering a two-way relationship with its surrounding community and an open perspective on science.

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Work & Study

Marine scientists, lab technicians, biologists, chemists and engineers, but also economists, lawyers or communicators (both working and in training) contribute to the interdisciplinary nature of our center. With more than 200 employees, the IIM-CSIC is a large community of people who work together for the sake of science, knowledge and sustainability.

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News & Events

Do you want to be aware of the latest at the IIM? The Institute has a whole team involved in communication & outreach, sharing all news that arise and organizing events to reach all sectors of society: from other peers working in science to children in schools or our neighbors from Vigo.

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Marine Life and Ecosystems

Aquaculture

Global marine aquaculture production is steadily approaching the volume of capture fisheries, exceeding 60 Mt when taking into account both farmed fish and shellfish (30.8 Mt in 2018) and seaweed production (30 Mt in 2018). 

At a local scale, Galicia has a strong tradition in aquaculture, whose production exceeds fishing catches in weight (>200,000 tons) although not in value (200 M €). Galicia also dominates mussel and turbot farming in Spain (97% and 99% of the production, respectively). Galicia has also pioneered the adaptation of new species for aquaculture, as is the case of Atlantic pollock (abadexo).

Nonetheless, aquaculture in the EU has been experiencing some degree of stagnation for the last decade, mostly due to decreased production associated with diseases, fish meal dependency, lack of regulated spaces to increase their production and environmental problems associated with the farming process. Aquaculture needs to overcome these constraints to be able to respond to the increasing human demand for marine protein by introducing new species to aquaculture, mainly low-trophic-level species, applying a multi-species farming approach and expanding offshore to reduce pressure on coastal areas. 

Sustainable aquaculture requires innovations that ensure environmental protection, animal health and welfare, and public health and safety. The IIM-CSIC has a long tradition of collaboration with the aquaculture industry.

You can read about all our capabilities and associated services below.

 

Research groups

Capabilities

  • Capabilities | Definition and description of marine ecosystems
    Fisheries Aquaculture Ecosystem Services & Governance Coastal & Environmental Protection Maritime Spatial Planning

    The definition and description of ecosystems involving marine resources, in terms of scale, extent, structure, and functioning. This includes characterizing the spatial, structural, and functional aspects of marine-coastal ecosystems as basic units for environmental land-use planning.

    Related research groups

    Integrated marine ecology
  • Industrial Secret | Industrial production protocol for seahorses (Hippocampus reidi)
    Aquaculture

    Authors: Miquel Planas Oliver; Alexandre Chamorro Valverde

    Description: Development of integrated culture procedures for the industrial production of seahorses of the species Hippocampus reidi.

     

    Related research groups

    Integrated marine ecology

Services

Active projects