Centro Oceanográfico de BalearesInstituto Español de Oceanografía

Knowledge, experience and infrastructures to serve our society

1

The Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (COB)

A CENTURY OF

RESEARCHINGOUR SEAS

The Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares

(Balearic Oceanography Centre - COB) is one of

nine coastal stations that the Instituto Español de

Oceanografía (Spanish Institute of Oceanography

- IEO) operates along the coast of the Spanish

mainland and islands. Since its inception in 1906,

its primary objective has been to use a multidis-

ciplinary and comprehensive approach to inves-

tigate marine biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics,

and the ecology and relationship of species with

fishing activities and the environment.

Currently, a team of about 70 people, work

to respond to the main challenges faced by ocea-

nographers today: climate change, biodiversity

conservation, sustainable use and management

of marine ecosystems, protection of specific

habitats and the modelling and prediction of

ocean dynamics.

The COB conducts research, technology

development and outreach projects, as well

as the training of research and technical

personnel in marine science subjects ranging

from observation and experimentation to the

analysis of samples and data and the reporting

of results. All these activities are conducted

using modern scientific and technical

equipment. Based at the COB headquarters

in Palma, the institute also operates a variety

of oceanographic research vessels of different

sizes, and a tide gauge station.

Since 2009, the COB has charted the

scientific direction of the new research station,

Jaume Ferrer, at the Mola de Menorca, through

a collaborative agreement between the

Govern de les Illes Balears and the IEO; soon it

will expand its facilities to the Balearic R+D+i

Complex building located in the Parc Bit.

The broad array of knowledge generated

by this effort allows the COB to offer a wide

range of services and products to different

economic sectors in both government and

private organizations as well as companies

that are involved in the use and management

of the marine environment and the

exploitation of living resources

1

The Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (COB)

A CENTURY OF

RESEARCHINGOUR SEAS

The Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares

(Balearic Oceanography Centre - COB) is one of

nine coastal stations that the Instituto Español de

Oceanografía (Spanish Institute of Oceanography

- IEO) operates along the coast of the Spanish

mainland and islands. Since its inception in 1906,

its primary objective has been to use a multidis-

ciplinary and comprehensive approach to inves-

tigate marine biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics,

and the ecology and relationship of species with

fishing activities and the environment.

Currently, a team of about 70 people, work

to respond to the main challenges faced by ocea-

nographers today: climate change, biodiversity

conservation, sustainable use and management

of marine ecosystems, protection of specific

habitats and the modelling and prediction of

ocean dynamics.

The COB conducts research, technology

development and outreach projects, as well

as the training of research and technical

personnel in marine science subjects ranging

from observation and experimentation to the

analysis of samples and data and the reporting

of results. All these activities are conducted

using modern scientific and technical

equipment. Based at the COB headquarters

in Palma, the institute also operates a variety

of oceanographic research vessels of different

sizes, and a tide gauge station.

Since 2009, the COB has charted the

scientific direction of the new research station,

Jaume Ferrer, at the Mola de Menorca, through

a collaborative agreement between the

Govern de les Illes Balears and the IEO; soon it

will expand its facilities to the Balearic R+D+i

Complex building located in the Parc Bit.

The broad array of knowledge generated

by this effort allows the COB to offer a wide

range of services and products to different

economic sectors in both government and

private organizations as well as companies

that are involved in the use and management

of the marine environment and the

exploitation of living resources

The research conducted at the COB is determined by R+D+i programs made by different administrations, that are inspired in turn by societal needs, social welfare and the principles of sustainable development. The COB operates with an annual budget of approximately EUR 2 million. This is largely funded by programs for research projects and activities issued by the R+D+i National Plan, the European Framework Programme, the Science, Technology and Innovation Plan of the Govern de les Illes Balears and by bilateral agreements with central and regional administrations, foundations and the productive sector.

2 The research fields

Funding of research projects and complementary activities

(2008-2010):

European UnionSpanish StateGovern de les Illes BalearsOthers

The research effort is primarily directed toward the study of:

∑ Oceanographic processes in the western Mediterranean; in particular the sea around the Balearic Islands, with a special focus on oceanographic changes driven by climate change.

∑ The ecology and population dynamics of commercially exploited species, and the study of the biotic and abiotic factors affecting these species and their ecosystems.

∑The development and transfer of technical measures for the protection of the marine environment and biodiversity conservation.

Through measurement of marine processes and analysis and data modeling, researchers can provide continuous projections for use in improving the assessment and management of the local marine environment.

The research conducted at the COB is determined by R+D+i programs made by different administrations, that are inspired in turn by societal needs, social welfare and the principles of sustainable development. The COB operates with an annual budget of approximately EUR 2 million. This is largely funded by programs for research projects and activities issued by the R+D+i National Plan, the European Framework Programme, the Science, Technology and Innovation Plan of the Govern de les Illes Balears and by bilateral agreements with central and regional administrations, foundations and the productive sector.

2 The research fields

Funding of research projects and complementary activities

(2008-2010):

European UnionSpanish StateGovern de les Illes BalearsOthers

The research effort is primarily directed toward the study of:

∑ Oceanographic processes in the western Mediterranean; in particular the sea around the Balearic Islands, with a special focus on oceanographic changes driven by climate change.

∑ The ecology and population dynamics of commercially exploited species, and the study of the biotic and abiotic factors affecting these species and their ecosystems.

∑The development and transfer of technical measures for the protection of the marine environment and biodiversity conservation.

Through measurement of marine processes and analysis and data modeling, researchers can provide continuous projections for use in improving the assessment and management of the local marine environment.

3 The research groups

The research groups currently active in the COB are:

Our activity in numbers:Human Resources (2008-2010)

Researchers

Technicians

Administration

Personnel in training

Scientific production (2008-2010)

Articles in scientific magazinesTechnical and scientific reportsCommunications to meetings

Projects and activities Human Resources

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

∑ Climate Change in the Mediterranean: monitoring and modelling of impacts observed

through marine hydrodynamics

∑ Ecology of planktonic communities of the western Mediterranean: study of the lower trophic

levels of the marine ecosystem

∑ Larval ecology and recruitment processes: analysis of initial stages in the development of fish,

crustaceans and cephalopods

∑ Fisheries acoustics: the use of the sound to study the sea floor and marine living resources.

∑ Fisheries discards: the study of the impact of fishing on the marine environment and

development of technical solutions to reduce unnecessary waste from fishing.

∑ Marine reserves and coastal ecology: evaluation of the effects of marine spatial planning and

protection policies on coastal ecosystems, their species and the artisanal fisheries.

∑ Ecosystems, demersal resources and benthos: study of the bottom dwelling species and

habitats and evaluation of their exploitation status.

In recent years, the COB has increased its human resources as well as the number of research

projects and complementary activities. The results of COB research are published as articles

in scientific journals and presented at international conferences that provide the basis for

reporting COB scientific and technical advice.SCI articles

3 The research groups

The research groups currently active in the COB are:

Our activity in numbers:Human Resources (2008-2010)

Researchers

Technicians

Administration

Personnel in training

Scientific production (2008-2010)

Articles in scientific magazinesTechnical and scientific reportsCommunications to meetings

Projects and activities Human Resources

2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

∑ Climate Change in the Mediterranean: monitoring and modelling of impacts observed

through marine hydrodynamics

∑ Ecology of planktonic communities of the western Mediterranean: study of the lower trophic

levels of the marine ecosystem

∑ Larval ecology and recruitment processes: analysis of initial stages in the development of fish,

crustaceans and cephalopods

∑ Fisheries acoustics: the use of the sound to study the sea floor and marine living resources.

∑ Fisheries discards: the study of the impact of fishing on the marine environment and

development of technical solutions to reduce unnecessary waste from fishing.

∑ Marine reserves and coastal ecology: evaluation of the effects of marine spatial planning and

protection policies on coastal ecosystems, their species and the artisanal fisheries.

∑ Ecosystems, demersal resources and benthos: study of the bottom dwelling species and

habitats and evaluation of their exploitation status.

In recent years, the COB has increased its human resources as well as the number of research

projects and complementary activities. The results of COB research are published as articles

in scientific journals and presented at international conferences that provide the basis for

reporting COB scientific and technical advice.SCI articles

4 Development of scientific activities

To support its research activities

the COB has a fleet of vessels and a wide

range of modern scientific and technical

equipment.

•COB’s fleet consists of the

oceanographic research vessel (ORV) Odon

de Buen (24 meters in length) and a range of

smaller boats, equipped with modern systems

for marine research. Together these provide

a variety of platforms for sampling and data

collection at sea. If necessary, the COB can

provide research groups access to larger ships,

such as ORV Francisco de Paula Navarro, ORV

Cornide de Saavedra and ORV Sarmiento de

Gamboa, among others. These are essential

platforms to conduct high quality research in

marine science and technology.

A FLEET OF OCEANOGRAPHIC VESSELS RESEARCHING ANY SEAS AT FULL CAPACITY

“The ocean belongs to everyone and to nobody; its rewards are for daring thinkers, scientists with the greatest spirit of adventure, and those willing to do the hardest and best organized work”

Odón de Buen

4 Development of scientific activities

To support its research activities

the COB has a fleet of vessels and a wide

range of modern scientific and technical

equipment.

•COB’s fleet consists of the

oceanographic research vessel (ORV) Odon

de Buen (24 meters in length) and a range of

smaller boats, equipped with modern systems

for marine research. Together these provide

a variety of platforms for sampling and data

collection at sea. If necessary, the COB can

provide research groups access to larger ships,

such as ORV Francisco de Paula Navarro, ORV

Cornide de Saavedra and ORV Sarmiento de

Gamboa, among others. These are essential

platforms to conduct high quality research in

marine science and technology.

A FLEET OF OCEANOGRAPHIC VESSELS RESEARCHING ANY SEAS AT FULL CAPACITY

“The ocean belongs to everyone and to nobody; its rewards are for daring thinkers, scientists with the greatest spirit of adventure, and those willing to do the hardest and best organized work”

Odón de Buen

LAST WORD IN SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

•Equipment

The COB has a wide range of modern

scientific and technical equipment for

datalogging and water sampling throughout

the water column (CTD depth sounders,

rosette with hydrographic bottles, etc.), along

the bottom, on the surface and within the

marine sediment (nets and several kinds of

dredges). In addition there are modern tools

for direct underwater observation (remotely

operated vehicles or ROVs, photography and

a towed video sled) and a scientific echo

sounder for acoustic exploration of the marine

environment. Detailed analysis of samples is

performed by the different COB laboratories:

chemical, acoustics, dissection and study of

biological samples, microscopy and image

analysis

“Research is seeing what everybody sees and thinking what no one thinks “

Albert Szent Gyorgi

LAST WORD IN SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

•Equipment

The COB has a wide range of modern

scientific and technical equipment for

datalogging and water sampling throughout

the water column (CTD depth sounders,

rosette with hydrographic bottles, etc.), along

the bottom, on the surface and within the

marine sediment (nets and several kinds of

dredges). In addition there are modern tools

for direct underwater observation (remotely

operated vehicles or ROVs, photography and

a towed video sled) and a scientific echo

sounder for acoustic exploration of the marine

environment. Detailed analysis of samples is

performed by the different COB laboratories:

chemical, acoustics, dissection and study of

biological samples, microscopy and image

analysis

“Research is seeing what everybody sees and thinking what no one thinks “

Albert Szent Gyorgi

5 Collaborative programs

Premises of the Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares

The COB collaborates with a number

of research institutions, universities

and governments, both national and

international, and especially with

agencies whose research is centred in

the Mediterranean region. The COB staff

conducts programs to train researchers

and technical staff that are designed for

researchers, students, managers and users

of the marine environment to help them

carry out activities to promote scientific

culture and dissemination of science.

CONSTANTLY COLLABORATING WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS AND PROMOTING SCIENTIFIC CULTURE

5 Collaborative programs

Premises of the Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares

The COB collaborates with a number

of research institutions, universities

and governments, both national and

international, and especially with

agencies whose research is centred in

the Mediterranean region. The COB staff

conducts programs to train researchers

and technical staff that are designed for

researchers, students, managers and users

of the marine environment to help them

carry out activities to promote scientific

culture and dissemination of science.

CONSTANTLY COLLABORATING WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS AND PROMOTING SCIENTIFIC CULTURE

The history of the COB dates back to

1906, when the Laboratorio Biológico-Marino

de Baleares (Balearic Islands Marine Biological

Laboratory) was created. Its first headquarters

were located in Porto Pi harbor, in the bay

of Palma. The founder and first director was

Professor Odon de Buen y Cos, professor of

zoology at the University of Barcelona. From the

start the laboratory was equiped with modern

6 The Balearic Marine-Biological Laboratory

The IEO is a public research

organization under the Ministry of Science

and Innovation. Its mission is the study of the

sea and its resources as well as technological

development and the transfer of knowledge

in marine science. The IEO develops research

projects on marine resources in different

seas and oceans, including their application

to marine farming and multidisciplinary

oceanographic research.

The activities of the IEO are nationally

based, and its facilities have a wide

geographical coverage, with headquarters in

Madrid, nine coastal oceanographic centers

in Santander, Gijón, A Coruña, Vigo, Cádiz,

Tenerife, Málaga, Murcia and Palma, five

experimental aquaculture plants, twelve tide

gauge stations, a satellite image receiving

station and a fleet of six ships of various

tonnage and oceanographic vessels of

smaller size.

The knowledge generated in research

projects and activities undertaken by the

IEO, serve to give specific answers to the

government and the private sector needs

in relation to the rational use of the see

resources, and its protection.

The IEO is directed to give priority in

its oceanographic and fishery research in

the service of state policy, to represent it

at international scientific forums related

to oceanography and fisheries, and to act

as the reference body for the declaration

of fisheries protection zones, and marine

protected areas.

scientific equipment and two boats, the Lacaze-

Duthiers and the Bolivar, which made it possible

to undertake the first oceanographic research

cruises in the western Mediterranean and

thereby develop a foundation for high quality

research. Odon de Buen founded the IEO in

1914, by integrating the laboratories of Palma,

Santander and Malaga into a single agency..

‘What we know is a drop of water; what we ignore is the ocean’Isaac Newton

MULTIDISCIPLINARY OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The history of the COB dates back to

1906, when the Laboratorio Biológico-Marino

de Baleares (Balearic Islands Marine Biological

Laboratory) was created. Its first headquarters

were located in Porto Pi harbor, in the bay

of Palma. The founder and first director was

Professor Odon de Buen y Cos, professor of

zoology at the University of Barcelona. From the

start the laboratory was equiped with modern

6 The Balearic Marine-Biological Laboratory

The IEO is a public research

organization under the Ministry of Science

and Innovation. Its mission is the study of the

sea and its resources as well as technological

development and the transfer of knowledge

in marine science. The IEO develops research

projects on marine resources in different

seas and oceans, including their application

to marine farming and multidisciplinary

oceanographic research.

The activities of the IEO are nationally

based, and its facilities have a wide

geographical coverage, with headquarters in

Madrid, nine coastal oceanographic centers

in Santander, Gijón, A Coruña, Vigo, Cádiz,

Tenerife, Málaga, Murcia and Palma, five

experimental aquaculture plants, twelve tide

gauge stations, a satellite image receiving

station and a fleet of six ships of various

tonnage and oceanographic vessels of

smaller size.

The knowledge generated in research

projects and activities undertaken by the

IEO, serve to give specific answers to the

government and the private sector needs

in relation to the rational use of the see

resources, and its protection.

The IEO is directed to give priority in

its oceanographic and fishery research in

the service of state policy, to represent it

at international scientific forums related

to oceanography and fisheries, and to act

as the reference body for the declaration

of fisheries protection zones, and marine

protected areas.

scientific equipment and two boats, the Lacaze-

Duthiers and the Bolivar, which made it possible

to undertake the first oceanographic research

cruises in the western Mediterranean and

thereby develop a foundation for high quality

research. Odon de Buen founded the IEO in

1914, by integrating the laboratories of Palma,

Santander and Malaga into a single agency..

‘What we know is a drop of water; what we ignore is the ocean’Isaac Newton

MULTIDISCIPLINARY OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Centro Oceanográfico de BalearesInstituto Español de Oceanografía

Address: Moll de Ponent, s/n. 07015, Palma. MallorcaBalearic Islands. Spain

Telephone: +34 971 133 720Fax: +34 971 404 945

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COB website: www.ba.ieo.es

IEO website: www.ieo.esContact email: cob@ba.ieo.es

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFERMARINE PROTECTED AREAS

BIODIVERSITY

CONSERVATIONCLIMATE CHANGE

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LIVING

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DEVELOPMENT