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.

See more
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.

See more
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.

See more
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.

See more
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.

See more
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.

See more
Marine Life and Ecosystems

Ecosystem approach to fisheries & aquaculture

Fisheries and aquaculture are facing many threats that reduce their potential to contribute to sustainable development. Addressing these issues requires a different way to manage both sectors. 

On the one hand, fisheries should be managed beyond the single-species approach by considering their interactions with the whole ecosystem to promote a sustainable use of the system itself. Similarly, aquaculture should consider its potentially strong interactions with the ecosystem. Both sea-based and land-based aquaculture may have an impact on ecosystem integrity, which should be addressed from a holistic perspective.

The aim of this research line is to provide fisheries and aquaculture managers with the best available scientific information to ensure the effective conservation and management of living aquatic resources, therefore contributing to sustainable development.

We address ourselves to applying an ecosystem approach to marine resource management while providing an integrated ecosystem assessment in order to maintain ecosystems in a healthy, productive and resilient condition: a state in which they can provide the services that our society requires.

In order to achieve this, we focus on developing and applying multi-species and ecosystem models, investigating fisheries-induced adaptive changes and mitigating bycatch. We study the best mechanisms to implement the ecosystem approach in aquaculture, including the development of multi-trophic aquaculture. Finally, we provide scientific advice to management bodies, to marine-dependent productive sectors and to third countries through international cooperation programs.

Research groups

Active projects

Related research lines

More
Inside this Research Line
Research Groups Research Projects Related Reseach Lines