IfremerFrench Research Institute
for the Exploitation of the Sea
Ifremer2008 Ifremer’s history
Ifremer was created in 1984, from the merger of ISTPM (Scientific and Technical Institute for Sea Fisheries) created in 1918, and CNEXO (National Centre for the Exploitation of the Oceans), created in 1967
The origin of this merger : to have only one public institute in the field of marine sciences
One main objective : to conduct large scale research for a better understanding of marine environment and resources
Ifremer2008
Objectives
Ifremer was created by decree on the 5th June 1984, modified in 1998 and 2002
Ifremer is a public institute of industrial and commercial nature
Ifremer is placed under the joint supervision of three Ministries : Research; Agriculture and Fisheries; Ministry of ecology, energy and sustainable development
Ifremer2008
Ifremer’s key figures
Budget
An annual budget of around 160 millions euros
Key Figures
1,385 salaried employees at Ifremer - 320 salaried staff at Genavir (shipowner)
88 research units, located in 26 coastal laboratories in France and in the French overseas administrative departments and territories
7 vessels, 1 manned submersible, 1 ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), 1 AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle)
An entire range of facilities for aquaculture production and experimentation
A full set of test facilities
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Ifremer’s locations5 centres : Manche Mer du
Nord (Boulogne-sur-Mer), Brest, Nantes, Méditerranée (Toulon) and Tahiti
21 coastal laboratories in France and in the French overseas administrative departments and territories
88 research units
The head office is located in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near
Paris.
Ifremer2008
French maritime area
With an area of more than 11,000 km2, France has the second most large maritime area, just behind the USA.
The area is structured by the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). For instance, with 5 millions km2, Polynesia represents 47,14% of the French EZZ entire area.
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Ifremer’s missions
Identify, evaluate and enhance marine resources and enable their sustainable exploitation
Improve methods of monitoring, forecasting trends, protecting and enhancing marine and coastal environments
Encourage the economic development of maritime activities
(Décret constitutif)
Ifremer’s missions are to conduct and promote basic and applied research, make expert assessment reports and take action for technological and industrial development intended to :
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Ifremer’s activities
(Contrat quadriennal)
Applied research, initiated by the societal demand or by scientific needs
Monitoring and expertise for general interest
Managing oceanographic facilities and developing technology
Commercial transfer
Ifremer2008 Ifremer in 2020
Better knowledge of oceanic circulation to reinforce the diagnosis on global change knowledge & characterisation of marine
biodiversity for a better preservationTo enhance the valorisation of marine biological resources by biotechnologies and bioprospectionContribution to sustainable fisheries and aquaculturePromotion of sustainable exploitation of mineral
and energetic resourcesImproving the monitoring networks for better addressing the international and European issuesDesigning and implementing an environmental forecast system for coastal marine areasOptimisation of the French oceanographic fleetImplementing a national and European marine data base strategyPromoting a shared technological innovation capacity
(strategic plan)
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Programmes
Monitoring, use and
enhancement of coastal
seas
Monitoring and
optimisingaquaculture resources
Building and developing vessels, vehicles and facilities for ocean research
Oceanographic data centre
Health and dynamics of coastal and estuarine ecosystems
Coastal environment, consumer health and safety
Monitoring and assessing coastal water status
Sustainable development and integrated coastal zone management
Sustainability of production systems
Process and product quality
Large facilitiesfor ocean research
Ifremer2008
Exploration, knowledge and
exploitation of ocean floors and their
biodiversity
Ocean circulation and marine ecosystems, mechanisms, trends
and forecasts
• Interactions between fluids, minerals and ecosystems in extreme environments
Mineral and energy resources, sedimentary processes and impact on ecosystems
Utilisation of biological resources
Ocean circulation
Deep-sea operational systems
Operational-type coastal oceanography includingtechnological developments
Information systems, techniques for observation, economics and diagnosis for fishing and changes in resources and their use
Ecosystem-based approach to integrated management of fisheries resources
Fishery resources, sustainable
exploitation and utilisation
Programmes
Ifremer2008 Platform for the development of
Renewable Marine Energies
Prime Minister announcement 03/12/2009Ifremer in charge of creating and organizing a R&D platform for the development of Renewable Marine Energies.
Main ObjectivesReach a production level of 6 GW in 2020Support the french RME industry and help developping profitable products
Main tasksDevelop collaboration networks for R&D (Academic/Industries)Support implementation of testing sites and facilities for demonstration, promotion and certification of devices…