Ifremer French Research Institute for the Exploitation of the Sea

Ifremer 2008 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

Ifremer 2008 Objectives Ifremer was created by decree on the 5 th 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

Ifremer 2008 Ifremer’s key figures Budget An annual budget of around 160 millions euros Key Figures 1,385 salaried employees at Ifremer 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

Ifremer 2008 Ifremer’s locations 5 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.

Ifremer 2008 French maritime area With an area of more than 11,000 km 2, 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 km 2, Polynesia represents 47,14% of the French EZZ entire area.

Ifremer 2008 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 :

Ifremer 2008 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

Ifremer 2008 Ifremer in 2020 Better knowledge of oceanic circulation to reinforce the diagnosis on global change knowledge & characterisation of marine biodiversity for a better preservation To enhance the valorisation of marine biological resources by biotechnologies and bioprospection Contribution to sustainable fisheries and aquaculture Promotion of sustainable exploitation of mineral and energetic resources Improving the monitoring networks for better addressing the international and European issues Designing and implementing an environmental forecast system for coastal marine areas Optimisation of the French oceanographic fleet Implementing a national and European marine data base strategy Promoting a shared technological innovation capacity (strategic plan)

Ifremer 2008 Programmes Monitoring, use and enhancement of coastal seas Monitoring and optimising aquaculture 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 facilities for ocean research

Ifremer 2008 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 including technological 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

Ifremer 2008 Platform for the development of Renewable Marine Energies Prime Minister announcement 03/12/2009 Ifremer in charge of creating and organizing a R&D platform for the development of Renewable Marine Energies. Main Objectives Reach a production level of 6 GW in 2020 Support the french RME industry and help developping profitable products Main tasks Develop collaboration networks for R&D (Academic/Industries) Support implementation of testing sites and facilities for demonstration, promotion and certification of devices …